For more World Cup action...

By Aaron Short

The eyes of the world will be on soccer for the next 10 weeks, but if any American eyes are on the World Cup, they’ll be focused intensely on an early round heavyweight matchup between the United States and perennial powerhouse, England, on June 12.

Animosity between the two nations hasn’t been this high since the War of 1812.

The Bell House will be the pitch perfect venue for this clash of the Titans (or at least one Titan). The Gowanus-based bar promises one of the loudest venues on one of the biggest screens in Brooklyn. As the Americans and the Brits fight on the field at 2:30 pm, American and English DJs will battle it out on the dance floor, and Bell House hooligans can choose between American and English food and drink.

Atlantic Avenue’s bars will be bustling all World Cup season, as soccer-mad fans will head to The Brazen Head, for Chelsea Checker Cab Pints for $3 and drink specials and bocce games at Floyd’s. Both bars will be open at 9 in the morning on the weekends for marquee games, so show up early to beat the crowds and grab some brunch.

In Williamsburg, Bedford Avenue is the place to be, as Spike Hill has declared itself “Williamsburg’s World Cup Headquarters,” and Iona, which promises to televise every game, seems to have been built to celebrate just such an occasion. At Iona, housed in one of the oldest buildings in Williamsburg, you will likely hear lots of different languages cheering for England, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, depending on the match.

In Bay Ridge, Casa Pepe is catering to fans of Mexico, Spain, and the United States, offering 25 percent off meals and complementary cocktails during games featuring those teams. Root for high scoring matches, because when Spain scores, sangria is offered and when Mexico nets a goal, tequila shots will be served. And if the United States is lucky enough to push one through? Whiskey.

In Prospect Heights, American fans will be flocking to Woodwork on Vanderbilt Avenue for perhaps the largest outdoor viewing area in the borough. The sports bar is an official FIFA-sponsored bar and the rumor is that ESPN may show up to film the proceedings during the USA-England match.

Expect a decidedly pro-USA crowd that weekend, as one Woodwork manager pronounced, “Everyone hates England, ever since WWII, or whatever.”

The Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643-6510]; The Brazen Head [228 Atlantic Ave. between Court Street and Boerum Place in Boerum Hill, (718) 488-0430]; Floyd’s [131 Atlantic Ave. near Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 858-5810]; Spike Hill [184 and 186 Bedford Ave. near N. Seventh Street in Williamsburg, (718) 218-9737]; Iona [180 Grand St. at Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 384-5008]; Casa Pepe [114 Bay Ridge Ave. near Colonial Road in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-8865‎]; Woodwork [583 Vanderbilt Ave. at Dean Street in Prospect Heights, (718) 857-5777‎].