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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Sports

K-Sports Fans Unite at Mexico World Cup Fest

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Mexican fans attending the 2026 World Cup Fan Fest in Monterrey were seen wearing South Korean baseball jerseys, including those of the LG Twins and Doosan Bears.
  • One fan, Angel, shared that he bought an LG Twins jersey after attending a game in Seoul with a Korean friend and was impressed by the cheering culture.
  • The article highlights the global reach of Korean sports culture, with fans from different nationalities expressing their love for Korean baseball and football.

In the sweltering heat of Monterrey, Mexico, amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the 2026 World Cup Fan Fest, a familiar sight emerged: South Korean baseball jerseys. Amidst the throngs seeking shade from the 36-degree Celsius (97 F) heat and high humidity, the logos of 'LG TWINS' and 'Doosan Bears' stood out, a testament to the growing global appeal of Korean baseball.

Korean baseball was different. The cheering culture was really impressive.

โ€” AngelA Mexican fan explaining why he bought an LG Twins jersey.

Angel, a 36-year-old Mexican fan, explained his choice of an LG Twins jersey, featuring pitcher Im Chan-kyu's name. He recalled visiting Seoul two months prior, where a Korean friend introduced him to a baseball game at Jamsil Stadium. "Korean baseball was different. The cheering culture was really impressive," Angel said, proudly displaying his jersey as a memento of that experience.

Further encounters revealed more K-sports enthusiasts. Francisco, from Mexico City, sported an FC Seoul football jersey and a 'KOREA' cap. He had attended K-League games in Seoul and Busan during a trip last year. "I love football. I love traveling the world and always try to watch football matches," Francisco shared, adding that he was eagerly anticipating Korea's next matches and had already purchased tickets for a Round of 32 game in Los Angeles.

I love football. I love traveling the world and always try to watch football matches.

โ€” FranciscoA Mexican fan discussing his passion for football and travel.

The article also noted the presence of Japanese fans, like Yohei, who watched Japan's 4-0 victory over Tunisia. Yohei expressed a desire for both South Korea and Japan to advance and potentially meet in the Round of 16, hoping "Asian football would surprise the world." These encounters, facilitated by translation apps and a shared passion for sports, underscored a sense of camaraderie among fans of diverse nationalities, united by their appreciation for Korean sports.

Asian football would surprise the world.

โ€” YoheiA Japanese fan expressing hope for Asian teams in the World Cup.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.