El Tri looked superior in their first match against South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Latin community of Los Angeles celebrated big at Casa México, in La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, where there was a party before and after the victory of the Mexican team.
More than a thousand people dressed in their Mexico shirts filled the square located in the heart of the city with love and passion for soccer from very early on.
An hour before the opening whistle, a large crowd had already formed in front of the giant screen, where they were excitedly awaiting the opening ceremony. In the end, a sea of green, white and red spread through the streets during the first day of the World Cup.
“Long live Mexico! Yes we can! Yes we can!” shouted the public waiting to see their team win.
“It’s my first game celebrating like this, I said to myself: ‘I have to live this experience of being out here because you feel the atmosphere, you feel the love for Mexico, it’s impossible to describe,’” said Carlos Tiburcio, who attended the event with three friends.
The fans began to dance and cheer when they saw how the celebration began with performances by Maná, Danny Ocean, Los Ángeles Azules, J Balvin and, to close, Shakira with Burna Boy performing the official theme of the 2026 World Cup.
Then came the national anthem, which always moves all Mexicans, especially those who live in the United States.
This is how Mexicans experience the World Cup in Los Angeles:
For many of those present, who were Mexican or identified as Latino, the gathering to watch Thursday’s game was more than a game, as they expressed that they were simply happy to be able to come together as a community.
“We needed this victory, after everything that has happened to the Mexican community over the last year here in the city,” said Hailey, who preferred not to reveal her last name. He commented that he normally watches the games from the comfort of his home, but this year he had to go out.
“If I hadn’t come, I would have missed all of this; it’s wonderful to see a lot of people gathered in one place; seeing people cheer up, laugh and enjoy themselves, even for a few hours, has been fantastic.”
Elivera Sondo traveled from Phoenix, Arizona, to Los Angeles to experience the moment in one of the largest Mexican populations.
“When I want to feel in community or close to Mexico, I come to Los Angeles and, in this game and in the ones to come, I will be here,” Sondo said, pointing to the crowd that celebrated with hugs and songs after Mexico’s first goal, scored by Julián Quiñones. “Just being here, in the community, watching the World Cup and being able to be surrounded by people who are passionate about this sport is the reason I came here. I mean, how can you not love this?”
“Here in Los Angeles is like the second home of Mexico, and I think that this event, this match, is the best time to be together, as a community, to live together that passion for sport,” added Saúl Mendieta, another person who attended the event.
The people who attended the Casa México event lived a complete experience in which they were able to savor victory and traditional food. Beyond the delights and facilities in the plaza, there was much celebration, both for Mexico and for the opportunity to see games that are only played every four years.
Even the pets celebrated
There were even pets in the crowd, like the most famous parakeet in Los Angeles, Pepe Herman, who was taking photos with fans before the game.
There was also dance and traditional music from the state of Oaxaca, from the group Maqueos Music, a group of second-generation young Oaxacans who performed traditional music in the heat of Southern California.
Ana Luziani Cervantes, who says she comes from a family she herself describes as “French-Mexican,” said she took her children to the event so they could learn about the love for the sport from Mexican fans.
“We are always instilling in my children a love for Mexico because it is important for them to see and feel how beautiful it is to have Mexican blood,” Luziani said.
In the end, Mexico defeated South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium and began the 2026 World Cup with a historic victory that ended a long drought in the opening matches of the World Cup.
Ariana Olmedo and her boyfriend, Joey Hood, UCLA students, were ready in their Mexico shirts and excited to attend the event and celebrate.
“This year we are going to win!” Ariana exclaimed excitedly. “It’s an incredible feeling, and we’re here to stay. We’re not leaving here, and honestly, it’s been beautiful to see our community come together like this.”
