For the unveiling of Mexican sculptures and the beginning of the “Caravan of Mexican Fans” for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which took place yesterday in the presence of H E Marcelo Ebrard, the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, hundreds of football fans from Mexico gathered at Katara.
Speaking to supporters in front of the Mexican artist Eva Bracamontes’ mural titled “Bird Game,” Ebrard praised the relations between Mexico and Qatar, claiming that the sculptures and mural in Katara will maintain the presence of Mexico in Doha even after the FIFA World Cup 2022.
“This mural painted here will be a meeting point and identity of Mexicans during and beyond the World Cup. It will make our presence even after the World Cup,” said Ebrard.
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Coordinator General of the Mexico-Qatar 2022 Strategy and Executive Director of Public Diplomacy , Mexico Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alfonso Zegbe; Ambassador of the United Mexican States, H E Jose Guillermo Ordorica Robles; Katara General Manager, Prof Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and other officials were also present at the event.
Zegbe thanked for the generosity shown by Qatar to Mexico and its people for agreeing to set up a centre in Katara for Mexican fans. “It reflects the strategic relations between Mexico and Qatar. Today here we are creating a Mexican public space – a space of identity and gratitude,” he added.
Mexican fans – many of them travelled here for the World Cup were getting ready to create a ‘Mexican Wave’ during the match between Mexico and Poland in group C today.
Most of them, wearing colourful charro hats, green El Tri jersey and carrying a Mexican flags, were playing drums, singing and cheering for their country’s football team.
Tomas Ramirez, a Mexican fan, who is here for his first FIFA World Cup experience said, “I came here two days ago and finding the country and its people very comfortable. I’m very excited for the Mexico vs Poland match.”
Gina Manuel who has travelled to get her first World Cup experience with a friend, said, “We will be here for 15 days. We decided to come here to get to know new people, know about a new country and culture, while enjoying football.”
“The Mexico vs Poland match will be tough but we hope to win,” she added.
Fans living outside Mexico have also come to watch the tournament.
Lady Acuna Flores, a Mexican and Caez Edxavier from Puerto Rico, both living in the US, have travelled to experience FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and will be watching four matches during their stay until November 28.
We are quite happy to be here. The pair commented, “Look at the crowd, we feel like we’re in Mexico,” and stated they came to Doha to see a World Cup outside of their home nation. They had high expectations for today’s game and hoped that Mexico would win 1-0, despite the fact that they knew it would be difficult.
Longtime Doha residents from Mexico, Macela and Javier Rico, said, “We have been waiting for this moment for the past 12 years.”
