Belgian and Iranian fans gather at Brussels Bistro for World Cup match

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. – Carol Crijns had quite the dilemma Sunday afternoon.

As Belgium and Iran faced off in a crucial World Cup match, the French-Persian wife of Brussels Bistro owner and chef Thomas Crijns wasn’t sure for whom to root.

“I was confused because you know …” she began.

Before she could finish elaborating, Thomas joined the conversation.

“I was not confused!” he said, drawing laughter from those nearby.

The exchange captured the spirit of the afternoon at Brussels Bistro, where Belgian supporters, Iranian fans and soccer enthusiasts packed the restaurant to watch Belgium and Iran play to a scoreless draw.

Although Sunday’s result left Belgium’s path to the round of 32 uncertain, it did little to dampen the atmosphere inside a restaurant that has become a home away from home for Southern California’s Belgian community. 

Over 22,000 California residents are Belgian-American. Only Wisconsin and Michigan have more. Arizona ranks 15th in the United States with over 6,000. 

“I try to share the atmosphere of Belgium, and soccer is a part of life in Belgium,” Thomas Crijns said. “When we do events like this, it feels like home.” 

Belgium entered Sunday’s match looking for its first victory after opening the tournament with a draw against Egypt. Instead, the Red Devils settled for another point, leaving them with two through their first two matches. 

The draw keeps Belgium in contention entering Friday’s final group-stage match against New Zealand. A victory would all but solidify Belgium advancing to the knockout rounds, while a draw or loss could leave its fate dependent on other Group G results. 

Belgium’s second consecutive draw left some fans frustrated.

“The game was a bummer,” said Rick Wade, who supports both Belgium and the United States. “It’s the one thing I don’t like about soccer, a tie. At least they didn’t lose. 

“We better win next Friday.”

For Wade, Sunday’s match was another reminder that the World Cup experience extends beyond the action on the field.

“It’s always awesome there at Brussels Bistro,” he said. “The food is good and you get a big screen to watch the game on and people are cheering, it’s just awesome.

“Everyone comes together for their team, win or lose, it’s all a good time.” 

That sense of community extended beyond Belgian supporters.

For Iranian fan Alex Palvano, the best part of the afternoon was seeing fans from both countries come together.

“There were some Iran fans and Belgian fans,” Palvano said. “We never felt uncomfortable and we felt welcome. They loved us and we loved them. It was a fun time.” 

Belgian native Laetitia Devast said that the Bistro offers her a chance to reconnect with her roots.

“Anytime I need a home, I come here,” Devast said. 

Like most Belgian supporters, she remains hopeful that her country can advance.

“Belgian people are just so welcoming, have a lot of energy and every World Cup we are behind our team and we believe and we trust and we hope,” she said. “We want to win.”

Watching in California is not like being in Belgium though.

“Belgian people are so energetic and right now I’m sure they are in the streets and there is probably craziness,” Devast said. “I’m glad to be here, but I would love to be there too.” 

If Belgium’s World Cup run ends, Devast already knows who she’ll root for next.

“After Belgium, I’m going to be for USA,” she said. 

But Devast and her husband, Rick Wade, could eventually find themselves on opposite sides. Wade supports both Belgium and the United States, creating a divided household if the two teams meet later in the tournament.

“That would be a tough argument in our house and who we’re going to root for,” Wade said. “But I’ll root for the USA and my wife will root for Belgium.”

That matchup is a real possibility.

The United States has already secured the top spot in Group D and will face a third-place finisher in the round of 32. If the Americans advance from there, they could face the winner of Group G in the round of 16, which is a spot Belgium was expected to contend for before Sunday’s draw with Iran. 

Belgium’s 0-0 draw keeps that possibility alive, but after Egypt’s 3-1 victory over New Zealand, a lot would need to go right for that to happen.

Adelaide Tomvelle, the restaurant manager at Brussels Bistro and Belgian native, has seen firsthand how the World Cup brings people together.

“It’s the whole community that brings all of the people together,” Tomvelle said. “I personally don’t follow up much on sports and only follow the World Cup for specific teams like Belgium. I just enjoy all the energy around it.

“The support, the fans and the cheering brings people close.” 

American fan Jared Devore said Sunday’s gathering demonstrated the enthusiasm Belgian supporters bring to the tournament. 

“They’re so passionate about the game, it’s awesome to see.” Devore said. “They’re still celebrating and we didn’t even win, it was a draw.” 

In a tournament defined by results, Brussels Bistro offered a reminder that the World Cup is about more than goals and standings. On Sunday, a scoreless draw was enough to fill a restaurant with cheers, reunite a community with its roots and bring fans from opposite sides together for an afternoon.

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