More than 2,000 miles away from Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, hundreds of San Franciscans turned the Mission District into a sea of green, white and red this Thursday, as they packed restaurants and bars to watch Mexico and South Africa kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The international soccer tournament, hosted across Mexico, the United States and Canada – including a few matches in the Bay Area – is already bringing together soccer fans and the city’s many immigrant communities to celebrate their teams and reconnect with memories of home.
Despite the midday match, popular sports bars filled with fans, excited to watch Mexico play. Some took advantage of extended lunch breaks and remote days, while others took time off work to attend watch parties across the city. Many sported giant sombreros and waved Mexican flags with red, white and green stripes painted across their cheeks.
When the game ended and Mexico secured a 2-0 victory, bars erupted in cheers, energizing otherwise quiet midday streets. Around the Mission District, barbers, restaurant workers and customers sported classic green Mexico jerseys, continuing their workday after following the match from phones and TVs.
El Tecolote documented how San Francisco’s Mexican community watched the first World Cup game, interviewing residents about home, soccer and what it means to cheer for Mexico far from where they were born.
Sporting a white Mexico jersey and a bandana was Sofia Lechuga, 31, who said the energy at the Napper Tandy reminded her of the soccer games she attended as a child in Mexico City, where she was born and raised.
“Everyone’s homesick, “ said the private chef, who has lived in San Francisco for the past 10 years. “So when we’re all together it just brings us closer to Mexico.”
Hector, 11, his twin brother Damien and several family members and friends gathered around a large table at the Napper Tandy, eager to eat hot wings and watch their favorite team play. They passed around accessories, including a Mexico-themed beanie and a giant Mexican flag that they waved around whenever Mexico scored a goal, jumping and hugging in celebration after the win.
“I feel amazing,” said Hector, who plays soccer in San Francisco with his cousin. He said he and his brother are excited for the finals and to keep celebrating their favorite teams. “I just like watching the World Cup,” he added.
Gilberto, 35, is originally from Toluca, Mexico, but has lived in the Bay Area for the past 10 years. The construction worker, wearing a bright green Mexico jersey and a giant sombrero, said he took a break from work with several coworkers to watch the game.
“Mexico’s playing today, so we have to support,” he said. The best part of any World Cup, he added, is “when Mexico wins.”
Ruby, 31, a psychologist at the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), said she took advantage of the summer break to watch the game in community.
“Especially in this climate, it’s really important to be prideful of where you’re from and your roots,” said Ruby, who was born and raised in the Mission District. “It makes me feel at home, so I’m very happy to be here.”
Omar, 28, kept a close eye on the match over pints of beer at Danny Coyle’s sports pub in the Lower Haight. The Mexico City native, who now lives in Oakland but works at the Levi’s store in San Francisco, said he was excited about hanging out with his friends throughout the tournament.
“It’s the kickoff. As a fan of the game, I was going to watch it anyway, but the fact that Mexico is playing, it’s like, ‘I can’t miss it,’ you know?” he said. “I’m not going to any games but I think this is better. You get to meet people, have conversations and then just watch the game.”
For Carolina Belier, who was also watching the match at Danny Coyle’s, the World Cup was an opportunity to spend time with family while sporting their Mexico jerseys.
“I’m really happy to be here with my people, our friends. This is a tradition for us,” said Belier, who grew up along the San Diego-Tijuana border and now owns a beauty salon in San Francisco. “I’ve been watching the World Cup with my family since I was little, and it’s a tradition that I now want to pass on to my children.”