IKOLI VICTOR
Doha
It’s no secret that Mexico’s national team is one of the most well-supported in the world.
In fact, El Tri fans have arguably been among the best for the last three World Cups, and ahead of Qatar 2022, supporters in Qatar have vowed that all three of their Group Stage games will essentially be home games.
With seven days until the start of the World Cup and nine days until their first game against Poland on November 22nd, Mexican fans gathered at Katara Cultural Village on Saturday, including the country’s ambassador to Qatar, HE Ambassador of the United Mexican States Jose Guillermo Ordorica Robles.
Mexico has long been a World Cup fixture, and their fans have consistently been among the most joyful and colourful in the tournament’s recent history. The envoy stated that the reference would be reinforced in Qatar.
“This is the first expression of the Mexican fans’ enthusiastic presence, and this is one of the first groups of fans to arrive here. Mexican fans have always been among the most enthusiastic fans in stadiums during every World Cup, and I am sure we will create a similar atmosphere in Qatar,” Ambassador Jose Guillermo Ordorica Robles said.
Asked about the expected number of fans from Mexico and around the world, he said: “There are different numbers expected if you go to the less bracket maybe 50,000 and if you go up it will be about 90,000.”
Speaking of the Mexican centre in Qatar, which will act as an extension of the embassy, providing information and consular assistance, among other services, to Mexican football fans during the country’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, he said: “The centre is part of the Mexican government’s important strategy to provide information, support, and company to all people who may require assistance. This is the result of a very important strategy that spans several areas of the Mexican government in accordance with the instructions of Mexico’s President and Foreign Secretary.”
A hundred fans sang and danced with their drums at the gathering, including Yezenia Navarro, Fan Leader of Mexico under the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy. “I am very happy that the Mexican community has come together to celebrate the upcoming arrival of the Mexican team to the World Cup.
“At the moment, we are not many, but during the World Cup, we expect over 60,000 fans to cheer the team like a home game,” she said.
“We have a lot of activities planned, including a gathering on the 17th and Mexican party after on November 25tyh. We will have many celebrations, and we hope to paint Qatar in Mexican colours, and our songs will be played in many stadiums.”
“It’s a meet up of Mexican fans and it’s amazing because you can find diverse fans from all over cheering our team,” Mexican fan Khaoula Bencheik said of the gathering. Our community in Qatar is large and we expect a large number of people to cheer on our team and enjoy the World Cup like home.”
“I am overjoyed to see so many of our countrymen here to support our team.” We would drum up support for the team at every match here, and it’s special to be connected to so many international fans, according to Javier Jonathan.
“I enjoyed this meet-up, especially the chance to feel the vibe of the World Cup in the company of my community members,” said Mexican fan Lenin Loredo.
Naomi Mendoza, a Panamanian who is rooting for Mexico, said she is excited about the prospect of a World Cup and enjoys the vibes emanating from the biggest football showpiece for Qatar. She went on to say that seeing different fans is part of the excitement of a World Cup tournament.
The Mexican football team will arrive two to three days before the tournament begins and will play three group games: November 21 against Poland, November 26 against Argentina, and November 30 against Saudi Arabia.
