Orlando area bars, restaurants hope to cash in on World Cup craze

ORLANDO, Fla. — Soccer fever has already struck central Florida with Orlando City Soccer, but the World Cup is expected to take it to another level.

Local bars and restaurants, like those along Wall Street in Orlando, are hoping to capitalize with watch parties.

Hours before the World Cup kicked off in Brazil, with the host country taking on Croatia, hundreds of yellow-clad Brazilians had already packed into Camila's Brazilian restaurant on International Drive.

Camila's general manager is from Brazil and said that gives him even more reason to cheer for his home country.

All 32 nations participating in the tournament are guaranteed at least three matches, but the more the Brazilians win, the more watch parties Camila's will host.

The restaurant expects that the games could mean $9,000 in business for each match Brazil is in.

In downtown Orlando the Orlando City Soccer Club is holding watch parties for Monday's match and will have them for all three of the United States group games.

The U.S. men's team opens against Ghana Monday at 6 p.m.

Channel 9 will carry 10 World Cup matches throughout the tournament; including the championship match July 13.

WFTV