The 2010 FIFA World Cup got underway June 11, and even thought the global soccer tournament is taking place thousands of miles away in South Africa, people here in Ballard are getting fired up for competition.

World Cup soccer has the magical ability to drag people from all over the world and all walks of life out of bed at ridiculous hours of the morning just to watch a game, said Ballard resident Chris Bodan. The deli he works at downtown opened at 4 a.m. just to show a match.

"What else does that?" he said. "I don't know how else to describe it other than a reason to get out of bed in the morning."

Bodan was spending his Friday morning watching a replay of Mexico vs. South Africa at the Market Arms, Ballard's newest pub, which opened this week at the southwest corner of Market Street and 24th Avenue Northwest.

The Market Arms is owned by John Bayliss, owner of Fremont's George & Dragon Pub, which has long been a Seattle soccer mecca.

At 10 a.m. on June 11, there were about 15 people watching the Market Arms' multiple screens (all tuned to the World Cup, naturally).

Bartender Tony Ballew said the pub spent its first two days of business at capacity and expects it to get even crazier during their first weekend of operation, especially with the United States vs. England match on Saturday.

"It'll be out of control," Ballew said. "We're all excited about it."

Renton resident Gayle Embry, who took time off work to watch the first day of the World Cup at the Market Arms, got into soccer when she was 18 and living in Germany. She said it felt like a huge party there with everyone rooting for different teams.

"It captures the imagination a little bit more than baseball or American football," said Capitol Hill resident Teresa Reynolds, who was sitting with Embry.

Bodan started playing soccer when he was 9 years old because of his father. He grew up playing the sport and said he still remembers having a blast watching the 1994 World Cup with his dad and the rest of his family.

Everyone's attention seems to be tuned to the July 12 England vs. United States match. The Market Arms will be opening at 6:45 a.m. in preparation.

Bodan said he and his wife will be getting to the pub as early as possible to get a good seat.

"It's going to be jammed," he said.

He said the crowd is sure to be conflicted, watching a U.S. team in an English bar, but it's just a game and everyone should be having fun either way.

Embry expressed disappointment in her prediction that England would win before catching herself to make sure no England fans were within earshot.

The Market Arms is not the only place to catch World Cup action in the Ballard area. Here is a list of some of the other viewing opportunities.

• Wingmaster's Sports Bar will be open early for all U.S. matches.
• The George & Dragon will be showing all matches live.
• The Dray will be showing all matches live.
• La Isla will be showing all matches live.
• Ballard Loft will be showing all matches starting at 7 a.m. or later.
• Conor Byrne will be showing the June 12 United States match.
• The Stepping Stone will be showing all matches, though not always live.