Mexico fans react after during during a watch party against England at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
A crack of thunder boomed in Houston as Mexico players sank into the grass in Mexico City and fans standing outside Little Woodrow’s EaDo began to disperse. It was as if the sky knew that Mexico had just lost its World Cup Round of 16 match against England 3-2 on Sunday night.
The rain began a few minutes later, and fans who had been watching the match at watch parties across East Downtown Houston scrambled to their cars, some raising their Mexican flags above their heads in an attempt to shield themselves.
Before the game ended and the rain started, East Downtown was the place to be. More than 20,000 fans packed into Shell Energy Stadium for a watch party, and others watched at the nearby Little Woodrow’s and Pitch 25.
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“I’ve gone to three games at Houston Stadium. I went to see a couple of games at the FIFA Festival, but I think [Shell Energy Stadium] beats it,” Nicolás Medina said before the match. “The ambience, 25,000 people around here screaming. Frankly, I got a lot out of it.”
While Mexico jerseys were the most popular attire at Shell Energy Stadium, some fans wore plain green shirts, costumes or even Brazil jerseys. Many fans had the Mexican flag painted on their faces, and there were people in sombreros and cowboy hats milling about the concourse before the game.
“I’m happy. I’m glad because Mexico is going to win,” Juliana Lopez said in Spanish before the match.
Mexico fans react after scoring against England during a World Cup during a watch party at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Lopez, who is 60, said she remembers the last time the World Cup was in Mexico in 1986 as the most beautiful World Cup. It was also the last time Mexico advanced to the quarterfinals.
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“I’ve been watching Mexico, the whole Mexican league, since I was a young kid with my father, so seeing the Mexican team go this far is everything right now,” Alberto Barrera said before his second watch party at Shell Energy Stadium.
Most people at were in their seats well before kickoff, as the game was delayed an hour for weather in Mexico City. When the announcement came 45 minutes before the original kickoff time, fans continued to do the wave, paying no mind to the intercom.
When the game finally kicked off at 8 p.m., the Mexican rallying cry for the 2026 World Cup “Y si sí” rang out.
“It felt like you were in Mexico,” Medina said. “I know it’s not, but this is Houston, and that screams a lot to me that this is something I wanted to experience with my kids.”
Fans watch the game outside of Little Woodrows in EADO as Mexico takes on England in the World Cup on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Fans watch the game outside of Little Woodrows in EADO as Mexico takes on England in the World Cup on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Even with a loss to Englad, Mexico fans celebrate outside watch parties for their team in Houston on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Houston FIFA fans line up to take the Metro line after a watch party for the Mexico v. England match near Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Mexico fans react after during during a watch party against England at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
A friendly rivalry between and England fan, left, and a team Mexico fan during a World Cup watch party at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
A lone England fan celebrates during a World Cup watch party as the team takes on Mexico at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Mexico fans react after during during a watch party against England at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Mexico fans react after during during a watch party against England at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
England struck first, with two goals at 36 and 38 minutes respectively, but when Julián Quiñones scored for Mexico in the 42nd minute, the EaDo stadium erupted with the sound of cheers and wooden noisemakers. Beer soaked fans in every section.
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The score was 2-1 at the half, and while some fans snuck out, most stayed.
“They’re doing their best,” Alejandra Batalla said at the half. “I hope they continue to go against another team. If they don’t, they made it so far. It’s been such a good World Cup, so it’s okay. They made it this far.”
Mexico trailed the rest of the match, but fans craned their necks to watch the end outside of Little Woodrow’s EaDo. They pushed up to the fence to see one of the two big screens. Those who couldn’t get that close stood in the street. The crowd groaned as Quiñones was subbed out, and then cheered as 11 minutes was announced for stoppage time.
As stoppage time hit four and then five minutes without a goal, more and more people left Shell Energy Stadium. And then, the game ended, the thunder boomed and the crowd dispersed.
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“I still love you, Mexico and I will forever love you,” Alissa Ramirez said after the loss. “I’m super proud to be Mexican.”