I Faced My Fears in Mexico, Got Shocked, and Was Launched into the Air!
BEFORE I stepped onto my flight to Mexico for the World Cup, I must confess that the nerves were running high.
Family and friends had emphasized that I should prioritize my safety there more than in other destinations. It’s easy to cultivate a distorted, fearful perception of the country when you’re swayed by external negativity.
However, the instant I touched down in Mexico, those anxieties were not merely set aside; they were completely washed away by an overwhelming wave of genuine warmth in a city that undoubtedly deserves to host the World Cup final, showcasing one of the finest stadiums worldwide.
On behalf of every England supporter who made the trip, thank you, Mexico.
Your hospitality has been remarkably disarming, embodying everything the World Cup represents.
It says a lot about a country when you readily trust strangers to give you electric shocks in the street just for amusement. There’s nothing quite like the famed toques game to say “welcome to the festivities.”
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After sharing various pieces about Mexico and the World Cup (available on my Instagram and TikTok, @LloydCanfeidFC), my comment section overflowed with greetings like “Welcome to Mexico” and “Mi Casa es tu Casa” or “My home is your home.”
The real magic unfolded not just inside the stadium but out in the streets.
We played football on the sidewalk, laughing past language barriers, and at one moment, a group of jubilant Colombian fans literally tossed me into the air in delight because they found it hilarious that I was English donning a Mexican shirt I picked up at a local market.
When I landed and realized my AirPods had scattered into the crowd, I didn’t have a second to worry.
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A group of the kindest souls dropped to their knees to help search through the crowd with their flashlights, assisting me in finding them.
I arrived with typical bravado, knowing only “un poco español,” expecting everyone to communicate in English, but it didn’t matter that they didn’t.
Uber drivers were patient with my hesitant attempts at speaking and even suggested using Google Translate, guiding me on safe routes and giving tips as I navigated the mild chaos outside the England team hotel the night before the match.
Everyone made a concerted effort to communicate and ensure I felt at home. And I certainly wasn’t the only one enjoying the warmth.
Almost every Three Lions supporter I encountered shared the same sentiment.
We felt incredibly welcomed before the match, entirely rejected during the 90 minutes of play, and embraced with open arms and drinks the moment the final whistle blew.
That is football at its finest.
Camaraderie was palpable everywhere you turned.
It was during a shirt exchange outside the press box, with a local youth in a green Mexico jersey filming two England fans joyfully singing “Wonderwall,” creating a moment for two rival fans to cherish forever.
Even the crowds outside the England team hotel were welcoming, playfully suggesting that I resembled Harry Styles, while a social media producer from the Daily Mail claimed he looked like Harry Kane…
I think I won that debate.
The atmosphere and genuine kindness of the people make Latin America something extraordinarily special.
You have completely redefined hospitality for us.
So thank you, Mexico, for exposing the true beauty of your wonderful country.
If anyone from the FA is reading this, please do what’s right: arrange an international friendly at Wembley against Mexico.
They deserve an extraordinary showcase on our soil, and we owe them our warmth in return.