"Supercampeones" unites Mexico and Japan in historic World Cup collaboration

Monterrey, Mexico, will host the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history on June 20, featuring Japan and Tunisia. This milestone event will take place in the city as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

To mark the occasion, the Mexican Embassy in Japan initiated a collaboration that bridges the two nations, using the iconic football anime series "Captain Tsubasa" as a connection. The popular cartoon, which influenced generations of Mexican fans with characters like Oliver Atom, is returning for the World Cup with a special nod to Mexico.

A video released on social media shows Yoichi Takahashi, the creator of "Captain Tsubasa," unveiling a new illustration. In the artwork, the beloved Japanese character is depicted alongside Mexican footballers. Notably, the illustration features Ricardo Espadas, the fictional goalkeeper and captain of the Mexican team in the series, who was inspired by the legendary Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos. This inspiration is evident in Espadas's colorful and distinctive uniform, which pays homage to Campos.