Editor’s Note: The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.

Love and pride for heritage and culture is being witnessed across The Bronx amid the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the soccer tournament, hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, gets into full swing.

 

On June 11, Norwood News spoke to Michelle Vazquez on the Grand Concourse in Bedford Park who was sporting a Mexican jersey and carrying some takeaway food into her home on the day Mexico won their first Group A stage game against South Africa 2-0. “I’m American but my parents are Mexican, from Pueblo Tulcingo [de Valle],” she said beaming.

 

She added, “I’m actually surprised that they actually won today 2-0, so hopefully, they win the World Cup ‘cause they really need it but I’m so happy!”  Vazquez said her favorite players are Alexis Vega and Raúl Jiménez.

 

On Election Night, June 23, Norwood News spoke to a group of Columbians on Jerome Avenue in Norwood, who were also decked out in their team’s jerseys and who were visiting the United States for the tournament.

 

We asked them how Columbia’s World Cup campaign in Group K was going. Speaking in Spanish and English, the fans said they were about to watch Columbia’s next game against the Democratic Republic of Congo at 10 p.m. “We’re excited!” one woman said. Norwood News asked if they were confident of a win. “We’re going to win, 3-1!” one man predicted.

 

Two elderly men were seen on East Gun Hill Road in Norwood on Sunday, June 27, watch the game between Senegal and Iraq on an outside TV screen at Prime Grocery & Vegetable. They said they were supporting Senegal, and Senegal later won the game 5-0.

 

Columbia is in the same group as hotly tipped Portugal, DR of Congo, and Uzbekistan, who they already beat 3-0 in a friendly prior to the tournament, they said.

 

Asked what Columbia’s best export was, the man said, “El Vallenato, the music Vallenato, our own music, the Cumbia (music), the people!” Another fan shouted, “The food, the food!”

One woman said with anticipation, “The last match is against Portugal!” Asked where they watched the games, they said in fan zones, including one in Queens. “In Queens, there’s a lot of Columbian people,” the woman said. As they posed for a photo, they said, “Viva Columbia!”

Meanwhile, one young employee who works in a deli on the corner of Jerome Avenue and Mosholu Parkway in Norwood is watching the tournament closely and is confident Portugal will go the distance.

 

Ireland did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup (losing out to the Czech Republic) but most of the nation is backing Cape Verde, since Irish and Cape Verde national, and Shamrock Rovers club player, Pico Lopes, makes up one part of the Cape Verde national team. (The place to be for Cape Verde supporters in New York City is Honey Fitz’s in Queens, it seems.)

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson hosted a soccer watch party at One Fordham Plaza on Wednesday June 24. From children as young as 1 years of age to elderly Bronx residents, all were seen enjoying the music and warm weather. “Maria” said it was very interesting to be there.

 

George from Council Member Oswald Feliz’s office, supporting Mexico, and Neil from Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia’s office, supporting Ecuador, kept it friendly during Bronx Community Board 7’s final board meeting before the summer hiatus at the New York Botanical Garden on Tuesday, June 30, and ahead of that night’s clash between the two countries as the 2026 FIFA World Cup knock out stages begin.

Meanwhile, Sari from State Sen. Gustavo Rivera’s office was all in for Mexico on the same night, even donning the team’s colors. Neil said it’s good to have any Latin American team advance while George wouldn’t commit to a score but was confident of a win!

 

Earlier the same evening, we spoke to sisters, Evelin and Anita Conteron on East 204th Street and Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood. Asked if they had a favorite player, speaking in Spanish, they said, “Panchito.” Asked if he was a striker, they weren’t sure. They also liked Moises. “He’s a good player,” Evelin said, adding that he was a striker. “We have a lot of trust in him.”

The girls said Ecuador has already played against Germany. “We won!” Anita said, beaming. Asked what the atmosphere was like in the Ecuadorian community, Anita said, “We’re really happy to be in this World Cup, hoping that Ecuador will win!” Asked if it was the first time that Ecuador qualified, Anita said it wasn’t but this was one of the times where they have advanced the most in the competition. Asked if they themselves played soccer, they said they did. “We’re really proud to be Ecuadorian!” they said. “We love our country!” (Mexico emerged victorious 2-0, courtesy in part of Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.)

 

For information about fan zones, transportation to the games, and more, visit https://nynjfwc26.com/fan-events/.

 

For a schedule of the remaining games, click here.