Malta’s World Cup Fever: From Street Parties to Empty Pubs
Malta’s World Cup Fever: From Street Parties to Empty Pubs
It’s 3 am on a Tuesday morning in Malta, and the streets of Paceville are eerily quiet. Usually buzzing with nightlife, tonight, the heart of Malta’s party scene is silent, save for the distant hum of a few late-night revellers making their way home. The reason? The World Cup. The island nation, like the rest of the world, has been gripped by football fever.
Street Parties and Empty Pubs: A Tale of Two Halves
In the lead-up to the tournament, local bars and restaurants were abuzz with plans to host viewing parties. The popular Tico Tico in St Julian’s even invested in a new projector to ensure fans could catch every kick. But as the matches got underway, a different picture emerged. Pubs that would usually be packed at this hour were half-empty, their patrons glued to screens elsewhere.
“We’ve seen a significant drop in late-night trade,” says Tony, a long-time bartender at one of Paceville’s most popular watering holes. “Everyone’s at home, watching the matches. It’s strange, but it’s great to see the passion.”
Malta’s Own World Cup Story
Malta might not have qualified for the World Cup, but that hasn’t dampened local enthusiasm. The national team’s recent improvement under coach Devis Mangia has sparked a renewed interest in football on the island. Local fans are cheering on their favourites, from Messi’s Argentina to Mbappé’s France, with a newfound fervour.
Malta’s own football history is no stranger to World Cup drama. In 1989, the national team came agonisingly close to qualifying for the 1990 World Cup, only to lose out to the Soviet Union in a play-off. That match, played in front of a raucous crowd at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, is still remembered as one of the most thrilling moments in Maltese football history.
As the tournament reaches its climax, Malta’s football fans are hoping for a repeat of that excitement. Whether they’re cheering from their sofas or in packed pubs, one thing is clear: the World Cup has captured the island’s imagination. And as the final whistle blows, one thing is certain – Malta will be ready to host the next chapter in its football story.
