Photo by SDCorum.

The waiting is nearly over: the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in less than 72 hours. South Africa gets things started against Mexico at 10 a.m. on Friday, with France vs. Uruguay to follow at 2:30. The time difference between the eastern United States and South Africa place group play kickoffs in the Eastern Standard time zone at a reasonable 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., and 2:30 p.m., and the District has given bars the go ahead to open up early for all games, with the right to start serving alcohol at eight in the morning.

One should expect massive crowds just about anywhere you turn in the area for many matches, especially ones involving the United States. The first is their uber-anticipated Group C opener vs. England on Saturday at 2:30. Along with being shown in any bar or restaurant in the city with a TV, the fixture will be shown on two large outdoor screens in Dupont Circle. That’s preceded by screenings of South Korea vs. Greece and Argentina vs. Nigeria, and followed the Capital Pride Parade. If high-end is more your style, then The Soccer Mansion at 2437 15th Street NW should provide a luxurious, if somewhat expensive, means of watching on June 12.

If it’s a specific country you’re looking to pledge allegiance to, think The Alliance Francais for les bleus, The Goethe Institute in Chinatown for Germany games, the Grill from Ipanema for a Brazilian bonanza or Divino Lounge in Bethesda for those who worship at the altar of Messi. That said, figuring out the right place to watch each country was a bit beyond us. We don’t know of any Chilean or Danish restaurants in D.C., but if you really want to track down supporters of your favorite country and don’t know where to turn, give that nation’s embassy a ring. You probably won’t be the first soccer-mad caller they’ll encounter.