Mexicans create world's largest 'ola' ahead of World Cup

Thousands of Mexicans congregated in Mexico City on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in an ambitious attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest "Mexican wave," or "ola." This iconic crowd movement, popularized during the 1986 FIFA World Cup hosted by Mexico, involves participants standing, raising their arms, and then sitting down in sequence, creating a visual ripple effect that mimics a wave.

“

I say that we are going to beat it: we are already many and it is possible, we will achieve it as we have always done, at every match, in every stadium.

Gathering early on the Paseo de la Reforma avenue, thousands of individuals clad in national team jerseys were determined to etch their names in the record books. The planned "ola" was set to span two kilometers. Sally Avilés, a 31-year-old content creator, expressed confidence in their success, stating, "I say that we are going to beat it: we are already many and it is possible, we will achieve it as we have always done, at every match, in every stadium."

“

Attention! We kneel, we bend, and we get up as quickly as possible on tiptoe, hands high in the air!

Participants, many with painted faces and festive attire, attentively followed the instructions of a leader orchestrating the wave. "Attention! We kneel, we bend, and we get up as quickly as possible on tiptoe, hands high in the air!" the leader shouted, prompting the crowd to ripple in unison. Gloria Fragoso, a 55-year-old employee in the private sector, shared her enthusiasm for the event, saying, "I couldn't miss this wonderful event, to show the world what Mexico really is, the atmosphere, the love, the union, the peace."

“

I couldn't miss this wonderful event, to show the world what Mexico really is, the atmosphere, the love, the union, the peace.

Fragoso added, "We are a country that welcomes, that shines," expressing that Mexico City is "more than ready" to host the World Cup, which the country is co-organizing with the United States and Canada starting the following Thursday. Mexican cultural authorities later announced that the record had indeed been broken, though specific details of the performance were not immediately provided. The event served as a vibrant display of Mexican unity and enthusiasm ahead of the global football tournament.

“

We are a country that welcomes, that shines.