Experiencing the World Cup in Mexico

The following blog was written by a student intern on a Summer 2026 CIEE high school abroad program in Mexico. 

The first time I studied abroad as a college student was during Summer 2024, at Universidad Antonio Nebrjia’s Center for Hispanic Studies in Madrid. While soccer isn’t the most popular sport in the US, fútbol means everything to Spaniards. Getting to cheer on Spain during the UEFA Euro Cup brought me closer to both the local culture and the American students I studied with.

While I don’t identify as Spanish, I am Mexican-American, which means that I get to cheer even louder and prouder during the World Cup this year. While I would be closer to a World Cup stadium if I had stayed in my hometown this summer, the energy from Mexican fans means that watching the games here in Merida feels like a truly special experience.

High school summer abroad student Julia N. stated, "I don't really watch soccer [back home]" and "it was cooler being with locals who actually, like, this is their [...] national team because it's more patriotic." Julia also enjoyed learning the cheers that are a typical part of watching soccer in Mexico with fellow student Adela C. saying, "it was loud but fun."

Other students also expressed that soccer isn't as popular a sport in the US with [student] sharing: "It was my first time actually watching the World Cup and I think it was so fun because we got to watch it with a bunch of other people that were really hyped so it made me hyped. And I'm in Mexico right now so Mexico won!"

While discussing a podcast episode she had heard about the World Cup, Ella T. expressed that "in the US, [soccer] is thought of as a girl's sport." Here in Mexico, soccer is for everyone.

Interested in spending your summer abroad in Mexico? Explore CIEE's high school summer abroad programs in Mexico and apply today!