THE WORLD CUP kicks off this week and fans from all over the globe will descend on cities like Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Toronto for international sport’s biggest event.
If you’re lucky enough to attend a game, tailgating ahead of time (and maybe even after for a bit) is a must. But if you’re not one of the lucky few in attendance, you’ll be taking in the Cup from a tailgater or watch party. In many cases, that’s hardly a step down. In fact, with the right gear, good company, and great grub, the tailgater or watch party can be just as good or better than the real thing.
What gear you ask? Well, highly useful items like coolers and the portable grills. But also garb to honor the fandom of it all, like national team kits and official memorabilia. And don’t forget the lesser-known tailgate items, things that improve your hosting experience or multitools to get you out of jams, crack beers, and double as grilling gadgets.
The World Cup 2026 is all about the communal enjoyment of international sport. FIFA can alienate the real fans with brutal pricing schemes and outlaw tailgating in select stadium parking lots, but we all know the real footy fanatics will adapt and gather. They’ll be in streets of Kansas City, the backyards of Vancouver, BC, and the rooftops of NYC, making the most of this special one-of-a-kind spectacle.
Read on for 14 editor-approved tailgate items to bring this year’s World Cup to the next level.
This collapsible cooler is ready-made for the tailgater, whether you’re putting a backyard viewing party of your own or traveling to it. Our team here has fallen for this one this year, as it packs down to the size of a small camping stove and even comes with a clever liner to keep cleaning a cinch and odors at bay.
Read More: Best Tailgating Gear
While the U.S. didn’t exactly score a hat trick with their kits this year, the away jersey is an exception. It touts some nice subtleties, with a patchwork of dark stars and a prominent crest. And it breathes like a dream, making it ideal for even sweltering game days.
Read More: Nike’s U.S.M.N.T. Kits
Made In has done it again. The Texas brand is known for durability and style, and both facets shine in this update to its popular grill. Portable and fit with a burly grill grate, this box makes the best of charcoal cooking. Set up in your yard as a stationery cooking station or throw it in the back of your truck for that parking lot tailgate.
Custom candles can enhance the tailgate mood, especially when they’re World Cup themed. This set from Literie includes one from each host nation (U.S., Canada, Mexico) along with associated fragrances. They’ll offer some nice mood lighting as the later games wind down and can even serve as intriguing party favors.
You don’t want to be powerless when the game goes to OT and you’re trolling your friends. Keep your devices juiced up with this nimble little charger, which can handle two gadgets at once and offer up to three days of full power. Oh, and it’s a carbon neutral product.
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It’s not a backyard gathering or tailgater without a proper folding chair. This one is ideal in that it packs cleanly, offers a pair of cup holders, and is nice and lightweight. It doesn’t hurt that it’s quite comfortable too, which is all the more important as the games last a minimum of 90 minutes a piece.
When you want amazing insulation and rugged durability, you go Yeti. This shaker is perfect for bringing the bar to wherever you’re going. The built-in strainer makes working with citrus all the easier. You can even get it in the color of your favorite national team squad.
Read More: Yeti Outdoor Chair Review
The music and pageantry plays a huge role in the World Cup too, whether you’re getting fired up pregame or celebrating a victory. Do it right with a take-anywhere speaker that’s rich and resonant. Sonos offers some of the best acoustics out there, along with crazy-long battery life and a waterproof build.
One of our favorite UPF shirts, the Sahara Hoodie is equal parts protective and sporty. This one will keep you guarded all World Cup long, while simultaneously keeping you cool and fending off insects. The hood fits like a charm and the stretchy fit feels divine. This writer keeps two in his drawer.
Keep a close eye on your proteins with this clever thermometer. You can pack it in your pocket and get temperature readings to the tenth of a degree, allowing you to nail even those more complicated proteins. It comes in nine colors, offers a handy backlight for evening cooking, and gives you a read in a single second.
The oWorld Cup ball is always something the fans look forward to. The design changes with each tournament and this year’s celebrates the iconography of North America. Go with the replica if you just want a good-looking ball to juggle around at the watch party or go whole hog and splurge for the official match ball.
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A fantastic party-hosting gadget, this portable projector will throw a high-quality feed just about anywhere. The ear-like collapsible speakers are a nice touch and offer rich sound while the HD and luminous feed automatically dials in the focus for a superior game-viewing experience.
Eighteen feet of colorful lights can really brighten up a tailgater. Here’s another great hosting gadget, one that’s buoyed by solar power and can even function as a power station. So, when you’re not setting the mood in your backyard (adjusting the colors to match the two nations facing off), you can bring this one to campsite and neighborhood barbecue.
Read more: Best Camping Gear
Who knew you could carry so much in such a condensed package? The Micra is Leatherman at its best, offering t10 tools in one slick format that can attach to your keychain or just get dumped into a small pocket. Because you might have to crack a beverage, cut open some packaging, or tighten the screws on that old grill.
A table in a tailgate situation can sometimes be an overlooked piece. But this lightweight and easy-to-assemble option from REI is just big enough for multiple people to use it at once, while being sturdy and offering a rigid surface.
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He’s formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can’t seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He’s a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up. He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
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