President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated the Mexican national football team after they defeated South Korea 1-0 [1] in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The victory is significant because it secured first place for Mexico in Group A [2], fueling nationwide celebrations during the tournament.
The match took place on Thursday, June 12, 2026 [3]. Following the result, massive crowds gathered in Guadalajara, Mexico, with celebrations centering around the Ángel de la Independencia and surrounding streets [4]. Reports indicate that more than 700,000 people gathered in the city to mark the occasion [5].
Sheinbaum praised the team's overall performance, specifically highlighting the defensive efforts and the scoring play. "Muchas felicidades a la Selección Nacional por el juego, el gol, la atajada del portero," Sheinbaum said [6].
The president noted that the win brought immense happiness to the public [2]. The match result has positioned Mexico as a leader in its group as the tournament progresses, a result that has sparked celebrations across the country [4].
While most reports confirm the opponent was South Korea, one outlet, El Heraldo, incorrectly identified the defeated team as South Africa [7]. However, multiple other sources, including MSN and Sin Embargo, confirm the match was against South Korea [8].
“"Muchas felicidades a la Selección Nacional por el juego, el gol, la atajada del portero"”
Securing the top spot in Group A provides Mexico with a strategic advantage in the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The scale of the celebrations in Guadalajara underscores the cultural and political importance of the national team's success, which often serves as a rare point of total national unity.
