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FIFA World Cup™ Lehigh Valley SoccerFest Fever Returning to SteelStacks

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— Ask any fan what they most love about soccer and the answers vary. Ask ArtsQuest’s Chief Operating Officer Curt Mosel what he loves most about soccer, and he’ll quickly tell you it goes beyond anything athletic.

“Soccer is also about community, people from all backgrounds coming together, united with one goal, passionately chanting a team to victory,” said Mosel.

He and other members of the ArtsQuest team and SoccerFest committee are busy working to ensure fans can catch all the hands-free action of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™– for free– at the SteelStacks campus from Nov. 20 to Dec. 2 during Lehigh Valley SoccerFest, presented by Wind Creek Bethlehem. According to Mosel, ArtsQuest has once been approved by FIFA to host its Lehigh Valley SoccerFest and viewing party.

“We’re excited to offer this uniquely free viewing opportunity and celebration of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ in conjunction with the other family-friendly programming and events planned at SteelStacks during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and beyond,” said Mosel. “People in our region love soccer. The World Cup is not only the most popular sporting event worldwide, but it also has a way of uniting all nations and cultures. As our history proves, SteelStacks is the perfect location to bring our diverse community together for a SoccerFest and viewing party.”

ArtsQuest and presenting partner Wind Creek Bethlehem, in partnership with Lehigh Valley United (LVU), Lehigh Valley Health Network, Baby J Productions/Sabroso Video, La Mega Radio, Coca-Cola of the Lehigh Valley, KLYR Rum, Discover Lehigh Valley and WFMZ (Edición En Español) TV69 will host free viewing parties this year in the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, Palette and Pour, Frank Banko Alehouse Red Cinema and (weather permitting) Air Products Town Square. The event is also once again supported by a committee of volunteers from LVU, Klunk & Milan, Gregory FCA and Discover Lehigh Valley.

Mosel invites fellow fans feeling the fever to watch as the U.S. men’s national soccer team (USMNT) competes against Wales, England and Iran, or come to cheer on our southern neighbors as Mexico faces off against Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia. He said every 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. match in the group stage of the World Cup will be shown from Nov. 20-Dec. 3, except for Thanksgiving Day. In addition, SoccerFest will also feature on-site merchandise for sale November 25-27 featuring national and club team fan favorites. According to Mosel, this year’s SoccerFest also features youth clinics, and special food and drink offerings.

The youth clinics will be held Sunday, Nov. 27. Children, aged 4-12, and of all skill levels can join Greg Ramos of Lehigh Valley United as he and the LVU players teach several different drills and games. Dribbling, shooting, passing and other techniques will be covered as children go station to station. Parents will be welcome to take photos and even participate. Sessions will be held in the Musikfest Café at 11:30 a.m. for aged 5-12, and at 12:30 p.m. for children with disabilities aged 4-17. Advanced registration is required and available by clicking here for the 11:30 a.m. session and here for the 12:30 p.m. session.

“The level of interest and support of our efforts to bring exciting FIFA World Cup™ action back to Bethlehem is intense,” Mosel said. “There is a growing enthusiasm for unique opportunities like this that bring our region together. We can’t wait to welcome soccer fans back to SteelStacks in the coming weeks.”

Mosel said he hopes that there may once again be a “live look-in” at the viewing party during the match between the US and England, as was the case during previous World Cup events hosted at SteelStacks.

Viewing Schedule:

The action kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 as Qatar faces Ecuador. The USMNT is set for a run against Wales at 2 p.m., following an 11 a.m. match between Senegal and the Netherlands at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21.

Tuesday’s November 22 lineup, has Denmark against Tunisia at 11 a.m., with Mexico taking on Poland at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 has Denmark and Tunisia during the morning match at 11 a.m., with Mexico and Poland hitting the field at 2 p.m. On Wednesday, Nov. 23, the 11 a.m. match is between Spain and Costa Rica, with a Belgium and Canada matchup at 2 p.m.

There’s no match viewing planned for the Thanksgiving holiday, but Friday, Nov. 25 features two great matchups with the Netherlands versus Ecuador at 11 a.m., and the highly anticipated matchup featuring England against USMNT at 2 p.m., when Mosel said he expects the largest crowds. The 11 a.m. match Saturday, Nov. 26 features France versus Denmark and Argentina versus Mexico at 2 p.m.

On Sunday, Nov. 27, Croatia will meet Canada at 11 a.m., and Spain will meet Germany during the 2 p.m. match. There will also be two Lehigh Valley Soccer children’ Soccer Clinics: 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

Monday, Nov. 28                   Brazil versus Switzerland                 11 a.m.           

                                                Portugal versus Uruguay                   2 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 29                  TBD                10 a.m.           

                                                Iran versus USA                                 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 30             S. Arabia versus Mexico                 11 a.m.           

                                                Poland versus Argentina                    2 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 1                   Japan versus Spain                         11 a.m.

                                                Costa Rica versus Germany              2 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2                        Cameroon versus Brazil                   11 a.m.

                                                Serbia versus Switzerland                  2 p.m.

Parking for the event is free but limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early.