Mexican football fans in Guadalajara gathered to cheer for South Korea during a 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage match against Mexico on June 19 [1].
The display of support highlights a unique cultural intersection where sports rivalry is superseded by a shared affinity for East Asian pop culture and mutual respect.
Around 3,000 people [2] congregated in the plaza in front of the Guadalajara Cathedral in Jalisco, Mexico [3]. The crowd engaged in chanting and waving South Korean flags, with many attendees wearing jerseys of South Korean star player Son Heung-min [1, 3]. This phenomenon is part of a long-standing friendly rivalry known as “Coreano Hermano” [1, 4].
Fans cited a variety of reasons for their support, ranging from the global popularity of K-pop to a general sense of kinship with the South Korean people.
"We love Son Heung-min, we love K-pop, we feel like brothers with Korea," said Carlos Ramirez [1].
Despite the camaraderie, the match remained a competitive fixture. Mexico won the game with a final score of 1–0 [1]. Some fans noted that the competitive nature of the World Cup did not erase their fondness for the opposing team.
"Even if we play each other, we still cheer for them because they are our friends," said María González [1].
Observers noted that the scenes in Guadalajara served as a visible marker of the deepening cultural bond between the two nations.
"Mexican fans are still cheering for Korea, showing how deep the cultural bond runs," said reporter Kim Suh-young [3].
While some reports suggested that many Mexican fans hoped for a draw to emphasize friendship, other accounts indicated that fans still intended to win the match like any other World Cup game [1, 4]. Regardless of the outcome, the presence of South Korean symbols in a Mexican city center underscored a shift in how international sports fans engage with opposing teams.
“"We love Son Heung-min, we love K-pop, we feel like brothers with Korea."”
The 'Coreano Hermano' phenomenon demonstrates how soft power—specifically the global export of South Korean music and media—can reshape traditional nationalistic sporting dynamics. By prioritizing cultural affinity over strict national loyalty, these fans are redefining the nature of international football rivalries in an increasingly interconnected world.
