GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — This summer, two major international soccer tournaments; EURO 2024 and Copa America will be played simultaneously. Forty nations spanning from the United States to Spain will be competing against intercontinental teams every day up until July 14th where both tournaments will conclude on the same day.
2024's Copa America, featuring the U.S. and hosted by the U.S. marks the last major international tournament before 2026's World Cup is hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Ahead of the U.S.' debut in the tournament on Sunday, June 23 and the Euro reaching the round of 16 stage on Saturday, June 29, there has never been a better time to get into the world's game.
SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids has been showing games from dusk 'til dawn for a decade, and both tournaments provide an amazing opportunity for owner Eric Albertson to celebrate the world's cultures all under one roof.
"We've never had this much football.. soccer at one time," Albertson says.
"It's the world sport. The two things that can unite people are food from the world, like we're cooking here, and the beautiful game." he continues.
To celebrate the two tournaments and their international reach, Albertson and his culinary team have cooked up a new "World Street Food" menu to celebrate international cuisine alongside the games.
"Chef and I, the kitchen crew - they're all just phenomenal talents," Albertson praises.
"[The menu] is a great morale builder for the staff because it's an inclusive effort. Everyone has a say."
The menu features 13 dishes, each with its own national origin, as well as featuring some recognizable tongue-in-cheek names.
"By all means, come in and try this food, because it is a lot of fun," Albertson says.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and a new soccer stadium set to be built in Grand Rapids, Albertson knows that there is no better time to experience the world's sport right here in West Michigan.
"[The interest] was always there, it was a bit underground," Albertson recalls.
"You'd have little splotches of fans that didn't know each other or know how to connect. [But] once you had like-minded fans, you might like one team and your buddy likes the other, but you still love the game." Albertson says.
"You just go crazy, there's no other feeling I've had in any other sport and so for me, that's the best part, the camaraderie and the friends that I've made," Albertson says.
You can find information about match schedules, menu availability and hours on SpeakEZ Lounge's Facebook page. Or you can watch one of many matches this summer at 600 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.