Nice-born restaurateur brings the World Cup to Monterrey diners | OneFootball

With the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Nice-born expatriate Jonathan Girardo is making it a daily occasion in Monterrey by screening every game at his burger restaurant, Queen Dog. According to Nice-Matin, he has lived there for 13 years.

Raised in Gattières near Nice, he left the Côte d’Azur more than 15 years ago after meeting a Mexican who drew him to Monterrey. He now runs six eateries in the city, the newest being Queen Dog with a giant screen.

Monterrey is staging four World Cup matches. Girardo did not get tickets and prefers to be behind the counter helping customers share the event.

For Mexico’s opener his place was packed, and after he began filming the crowd a goal followed about 15 seconds later.

To show the games legally, he invested nearly 25,000 pesos, about 1,250 euros, in a specific licence, which he says is worth it.

He says locals follow the tournament in a family-centred way, with barbecues, friends and beers. Training bases are hosting Sweden, Tunisia, Japan, South Africa and South Korea, sharing pitches once used by André Pierre Gignac, Florian Thauvin and former Nice forward Andy Delort at Tigres de Monterrey.

After more than a decade in Mexico, he believes football unites the country. His heart stays tied to France and Gattières, yet he also supports his adopted home. As Monterrey awaits its next fixtures, Queen Dog will keep the screens on, a slice of the World Cup more than 9,000 kilometres from Nice.

Source: Nice-Matin