Loss aside, Tulsans take pride in Mexican national team’s World Cup performance

The final whistle brought disappointment, but it did not diminish the overwhelming pride that filled watch parties across Tulsa.

As Mexico’s historic World Cup run ended Sunday night with a 3-2 loss to England more than 700 miles away in Mexico City, Tulsa-area fans packed local restaurants and sports bars to cheer, celebrate and share in an experience that extended far beyond soccer.

At El Patron Cocina Mexicana, located in midtown at 3837 E. 51st St., Mexico’s green, white and red colors filled a capacity balcony as servers and patrons wearing national team jerseys watched the match on a massive television screen.

For Bryan Sandoval, a singer from Jalisco, Mexico, the match represented both national pride and community spirit. Sandoval led the crowd through songs and chants.

“It’s special because we are the host, and we’ve made it farther than we expected,” Sandoval told the Tulsa Flyer. “It brings us together, and we all feel the passion. It makes us proud.”

Echoes of 1986

The Mexico team last advanced this far in the World Cup in 1986. That 1986 team relied on domestic stars and a strong midfield including current manager Javier Aguirre, who returned to manage the 2026 team.

The celebration Tulsa fans hoped for never came. But the community atmosphere remained.

Daniela Montero, originally from Monterrey, Mexico, attended the watch party with husband Alex Montero.

“We had a great time here on El Patron’s terrace,” she said.

Gatherings take over Tulsa

Across town, the passion was just as strong.

Cerveceria 28 Sports Bar, at 12777 E. 41st St., was filled to capacity during the second half. Fans waited outside for an opportunity to enter as others trickled out of the newly expanded east Tulsa establishment.

Inside, supporters watched the game on several large television screens, waved noisemakers and shared the tension of every possession, opportunity and goal.

Emma Padilla, originally from Jalisco, said watching Mexico play alongside family and friends made the occasion particularly meaningful.

“I carry Mexico in my heart,” Padilla said. “I feel happy to be able to experience a World Cup in the company of my family and friends.”

For others, the game represented an opportunity to celebrate their heritage and community.

“It’s good to celebrate with our local Hispanics,” said Tulsa native Lucia Lujano. “Tulsa is big, but it’s little. We can come together and celebrate our roots.”

‘We played our best’

Even after Mexico’s loss in the Round of 16, the disappointment did not overshadow the accomplishment.

Areli Hernandez, who moved to Tulsa from Monterrey 24 years ago, said the opportunity to watch Mexico play such a meaningful game in the nation’s capital made the experience even more memorable.

“It was so exciting to watch the Mexico game, and even more exciting because it was in Mexico City,” Hernandez said. “I’m sad, but as Mexicans, we always have a good face for whatever happens. I’m proud. We played our best.”

Abraham Gutierrez traveled from Phoenix and attended the watch party while visiting his cousin.

“The atmosphere is good,” Gutierrez said. “I see children. I see families. Everybody.”

Mexico may have fallen a victory short of continuing its historic run, but across Tulsa on Sunday night, the final score told only part of the story.

The jerseys, flags, packed restaurants and families gathered around TV screens showed that while Mexico’s World Cup journey had ended, the spirit of loyalty surrounding it remained.

Cory Young, a Tulsa-based photojournalist, is a regular contributor to Tulsa Flyer and The Oklahoma Eagle.  

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