World Cup in Brussels: Plea for more permanent fanzones for live international screenings

Belgium’s capital, home to over 180 different nationalities, enjoyed a heightened level of football fever during the recent World Cup.

With the championship extended from 32 to 48 participating teams for greater global inclusion, the total number of matches soared to 104, spread over five weeks.

It resulted in even more fan bases wanting to cheer on their home nations at live outdoor screenings of the world’s biggest football event. 

But it wasn’t only the varying time differences with the North America-staged tournament that disrupted viewing in Belgium.

The success of open-air gatherings to watch matches meant some municipalities banned screenings out of concern for potential crowd trouble.

The Football Village, which specialises in screening matches for international fans, was obliged to move to different venues around the city due to last-minute decisions by local mayors.

Co-organiser Larry Moffett told The Bulletin that the village had secured a spot in Place Wiener in Watermael-Boitsfort for the whole tournament. But after noise complaints by local residents about late matches involving boisterous Argentinian and Ecuadorian fans, the mayor withdrew permission except for Belgium’s matches.

Fortunately, the Football Village had a plan B, said Moffett. “There was another guinguette in Place Noord, next to the train station. It was a huge rooftop, elevated above street level with a capacity for 2,000 people.”

Although the venue was surrounded by office rather than residential space, the local Schaerbeek mayor also decided to ban not only late-scheduled matches, but matches except for the Red Devils, Belgium’s national team, the semi-final and the final, added Moffett. “I heard second hand that he did not want large crowds assembling late at night.”

So the Football Village moved indoors for several matches. It set up its fanzones at Fox food market in Watermael-Boitsfort where it staged the UEFA Euros two years ago, the Viage casino in the city centre and Ratz food market in Place Saint-Boniface in Ixelles.

But especially with the exceptionally warm weather, the fan experience is best in the open-air, insisted Moffett. “People prefer to be outside like for a football match. You can accommodate more people and there’s much more atmosphere, especially when fans like the Argentinians come with their drums and start chanting.”

He also recalled other tournament highlights, including the Congolese matches that drew crowds of enthusiastic fans after the DRC qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.

Keen to point out that since the Football Village started screenings of the World Cup and Euro championships in 2010, fellow organiser Daniel Szczekacz said they have never experienced any crowd trouble. “In all the years since we have been doing this, there has never been any incidents of violence or vandalism. Matches are very family-orientated, safe and friendly with kids running around.”

For Moffett, the village’s previous location at Autoworld in Cinquantenaire Park was ideal with its large covered terrace. Although they had come to an agreement this year with its restaurant manager to host the World Cup, the city of Brussels denied permission.

Planning ahead already for the Euros in 2028, Moffett and Szczekacz are intending to renew discussions with Autoworld while also searching for alternative outdoor locations, preferably in or near the EU quarter.

“We would like to have at least one fanzone where we can stay for the whole championship, where we will not cause any noise disturbance and where everyone can come,” he said, pointing out the high demand for such events.

“Clearly the audience is there. Several thousand people came to our matches to support their national teams and it is only fair to make that possible in a city with such a high proportion of non-Belgians,” he concluded.

Photos: ©Football Village