Looks like I’ve officially graduated from watching FIFA whilst drinking in a bar because this entire FIFA World Cup 2026™, I either watched from the comfort of my home or from my phone at a coffee shop with friends.
So, when I heard that Visa, GoTyme Bank, and McDonald’s Philippines were teaming up to host an official watch party for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final between Spain and Argentina, it sounded right up my alley. It was time to leave my couch/coffee shop and head over to McDonald’s in McKinley West for a change.
Photo from Visa
Walking in, the vibe was immediate electric chaos in the best way possible. While McDonald’s usually feels like a cozy spot for a quick bite or a late-night study session, the store was completely transformed into a high-energy, packed football hub for the World Cup final.
And while I was at first worried I would be the only one cheering for Argentina (I’m a Messi fan, not an Argentina team fan, just to be very clear lol), it was a pleasant surprise to see a healthy divide between both teams at the venue. The room was a sea of fans in light blue and red jerseys, eyes glued to the massive screen, holding their breath with every single attack and counter.
To keep our energy up during the game, we were given the ultimate matchday feast to munch on while watching: a classic 6-piece Chicken McNuggets® (with the legendary Big Mac® Sauce), crispy regular fries, an iced A&W® drink, and the real prize: a limited-edition FIFA World Cup 2026™ Collectible Cup (grabbed myself my second Sonny, of course).
If you watched the final game, you’ll know how frustrating and intense it was. Martínez saved so many goals, I got tired just watching him, especially so early in the morning, but everyone in the venue kept groaning and shouting to no end up until Spain finally scored a goal and eventually won the match. It was honestly incredible to see that the football community is growing even more in the Philippines.
Photo from Visa
“Football has an incredible ability to unite communities, captivating fans across borders and cultures,” Nico Leviste, Head of Marketing for Visa Philippines, noted about the event, and feeling the room vibrate after every major play proved him right.
Between the seamless tech powering the event from Visa and GoTyme Bank, and the familiar, comforting setting of McDonald’s, the whole morning felt like a seamless blend of world-class sport and local community spirit. GoTyme Bank CEO Nate Clarke nailed it when he mentioned wanting to transform everyday banking into shared experiences that bring people closer to what they love. Sitting there with a room full of screaming fans at 3:00 AM, it definitely felt like a core memory unlocked.
McDonald’s Philippines Marketing Director Ashley Santillan-Delgado summed up the day perfectly as well, sharing that McDonald’s has always been a place for friends and family to gather over good food, and that elevating matchday rituals for Filipino fans was a thrill.
As a fan, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with people who love the sport just as much as I do proved one thing: you don’t need to fly across the world to feel the magic of the FIFA World Cup. Sometimes, all you need is a great game, a passionate crowd, and a side of fries.
