From Houston to Mexico City, Guatemalan fans undertook the journey to be part of the 2026 World Cup, support their favorite teams and enjoy the atmosphere that only the most important soccer tournament can offer.
The passion for soccer took a group of Guatemalans to the Houston stadium, in Texas, to watch the Germany match and live the World Cup experience up close.
Coming from Guatemala City, the fans highlighted the excitement of sharing the trip with their family and supporting one of the most traditional teams in the tournament.
“It’s special for my dad, who is the one who goes to Germany,” commented one of the fans before the match, while being optimistic about the performance of the European team and daring to predict a 4-0 victory.
The fans confirmed that they will not only attend this match, but that they will take advantage of their stay to watch a second match, that of Portugal, another of the teams that arouses their interest in this edition of the World Cup.
The Guatemalan presence was also felt in Mexico City during the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, which ended with a 2-0 victory for the locals.
Although some fans did not manage to enter the stadium, they did enjoy the atmosphere in the fan fest areas and in different parts of the Mexican capital.
Among them was Ivon Castro, originally from Quetzaltenango, who recounted the festive atmosphere she found since her arrival.
“We left through Tapachula on Monday and arrived in Mexico at noon. The entire airport was full of police. We went to the rented apartment and left outside the stadium and it was already a party,” he recalled.
Castro also highlighted the hospitality of the Mexican fans. “Everyone was happy and the Mexicans were phenomenal, very attentive and friendly, singing Cielito Lindo at the top of their lungs all the time. It was so nostalgic,” he said.
Robbery in the Zócalo
The most bitter moment of the experience came when the Xelajú flag and a cap that he had brought with him were stolen, objects that he usually carries in different countries to support the superchivo team.
Even with this setback, Guatemalan fans agreed that the possibility of experiencing a World Cup in a nearby country and sharing the soccer celebration with fans of different nationalities turned the trip into an unforgettable experience.