World Cup in KC is chance for Mexico fans to revel in soccer, culture & community
Thousands of supporters dressed in green gathered beneath gray skies Thursday when Kansas City officially opened its FIFA World Cup Fan Festival with Mexico’s first match of the tournament, transforming the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial into a celebration of soccer, culture and community.
Long before kickoff between Mexico and South Africa, fans lined up outside the venue carrying flags, wearing jerseys and bringing noisemakers from home. The crowd was overwhelmingly made up of supporters of Mexico’s national team, creating what many described as a sea of green stretching across the festival grounds.
For many in attendance, the match represented far more than a sporting event. Families traveled from across the region, including Kansas, Missouri and beyond, to take part in a moment they viewed as a celebration of Mexican heritage and identity. The atmosphere reflected the significance soccer holds within many Mexican and Mexican American households, where support for the national team is often passed down through generations.
“It’s not just a sport. It’s a lifestyle. It’s culture. It’s love for the game. It’s something that brings us all together,” said David Delgadillo, a Topeka resident whose parents immigrated from Chihuahua, Mexico.
‘Pride in our heritage’
Delgadillo said soccer has always been part of his family’s life and remains one of the strongest cultural connections for many Mexican families.
“It’s just something that’s always been a part of our culture, something that we always love to watch and come together around,” he said. “Even with club teams playing against each other, we still bond together through this sport.”
The Fan Festival offered one of the largest public displays of that connection. Fans wrapped themselves in Mexican flags, posed for photos with friends and family and chanted in unison while waiting for kickoff. Though supporters of other nations could be seen throughout the grounds, Mexico’s colors dominated the landscape.
For Sergio Gonzalez, a first-generation son of immigrants whose parents are from Jalisco, the crowd represented something larger than soccer.
“When I first moved here, I didn’t know what to expect,” Gonzalez said. “But once I got here and realized how big the Latino community was, I knew we were going to rally together and connect. This sea of green jerseys shows the pride that we have in our culture.”
Gonzalez said support for Mexico’s national team is inseparable from cultural identity.
“Mexico soccer fans, we bleed red, white and green,” he said. “It’s more of a pride in our heritage than just the team.”
Hispanic performers add to love for Mexican culture
The sense of cultural pride extended beyond the match itself. Throughout the day, the Fan Festival highlighted local Hispanic artists and performers, turning the event into a showcase of the community that has helped shape Kansas City’s cultural landscape.
Before the opening match, supporters were greeted by music, vendors and cultural programming designed to celebrate Hispanic heritage alongside the tournament. For many attendees, the festival offered a rare opportunity to see their traditions represented on one of the world’s biggest stages.
The halftime festivities featured Grupo Folklórico Itzcali and Mariachi Arce, who brought traditional Mexican dance and music to the main stage. The performance drew enthusiastic applause from fans who recognized familiar songs and cultural traditions.
Annel Alvarez, director of Grupo Folklórico Itzcali, said performing during Mexico’s opening World Cup match was among the most meaningful opportunities her organization has received.
“We have been given the opportunity at a lot of big events to represent our culture and our beautiful country of Mexico and this was definitely at the top of our list,” Alvarez said. “To be able to represent our culture with so many people who have come from different countries to watch the World Cup here in Kansas City is really special.”
Alvarez said the group’s mission extends beyond entertaining audiences.
“We’re always really focused on representing our culture the best that we can while also allowing other people, even if they’re not Mexican, to enjoy our culture and feel welcomed into it,” she said.
‘It was beautiful’
As kickoff approached, the energy intensified. When Mexico scored its first goal of the tournament, thousands of fans erupted into celebration. Chants of “Mexico! Mexico! Mexico!” echoed throughout the venue as supporters embraced and waved flags above their heads.
Even rain failed to slow the enthusiasm. While some attendees moved beneath nearby pavilions for shelter, most remained focused on the match. Fans continued cheering through the weather as Mexico built toward a 2-0 victory over South Africa.
Some supporters never even made it inside before the first goal was scored.
“I was still waiting in line, but you heard everyone cheering and going crazy from the line,” Gonzalez said. “It was beautiful.”
The match also highlighted the role soccer plays in connecting generations. Many attendees spoke about learning the game from parents and grandparents and now passing those traditions on to their own children.
Juan-Carlos Chaurand, percussionist for Making Movies and Sin Tope, said soccer has been part of his family’s story for generations.
“My grandfather was a professional soccer player back in the day in Mexico and it’s kind of just been in the blood,” Chaurand said. “I grew up playing soccer. I played throughout high school and a little bit of club afterwards. So yeah, soccer is a big part of our family.”
Chaurand said seeing Kansas City host World Cup events was once difficult to imagine.
“When I heard about the United States, I was like, cool,” he said. “But then the fact that Kansas City was actually up for a bid to be a host city, yeah, that was huge.”
KC musicians eager to add to cultural celebration
The celebration continued after the final whistle.
Following Mexico’s victory, local musicians took over the main stage. Kansas City band Making Movies performed a set that drew crowds toward the stage, while fans danced and sang along. Later, Juan-Carlos Chaurand joined FK Menace as part of Sin Tope, blending traditional Latin influences with contemporary sounds.
For FK Menace, performing at the Fan Festival meant more than a typical gig
“It’s my responsibility to continue doing what I’ve been doing on that stage and really represent our people,” he said. “Everything that I embody and everything those people embody, we’re family. It’s unity.”
The artist, known for performing in a lucha libre mask that honors his family’s wrestling legacy, said the World Cup offered an opportunity to showcase local Hispanic talent before a global audience.
“It’s super important to me to go out there and give it my all, give them the classics, give them a rhythm to dance to, make it a memorable experience,” he said.
The same sentiment was shared by DJ Ne$, whose real name is Vanessa Ramirez. The KC Current DJ is scheduled to perform later during the Fan Festival and attended opening day to support fellow performers and experience the atmosphere firsthand.
Ramirez, a lifelong soccer fan and daughter of immigrants, said events like the Fan Festival provide meaningful opportunities for representation.
“That was me at one point,” Ramirez said. “A young girl who loved soccer. A young girl who loved music.”
She said seeing Latina artists on major stages can help young people imagine new possibilities for themselves.
“To be honest, I’m a daughter of immigrants as well, so even representing first-generation immigrant children is a huge honor,” she said.
As the afternoon turned into evening, the festival grounds remained filled with music, dancing and celebration. Families stayed long after the match ended, gathering near stages and vendor booths while children played and supporters continued discussing Mexico’s victory.
For many attendees, the opening day of the Fan Festival represented exactly what they hoped the World Cup would bring to Kansas City: a chance to celebrate soccer while also sharing culture, traditions and community with the world.
“Anytime you get a whole bunch of Mexicanos in one place, it’s always love,” Gonzalez said. “We’re all having fun and having a good time. You see families with children. You see multiple generations. It’s so cool to see everyone celebrating together.”
