Canelo Álvarez Backs Mexico at World Cup 2026, Eyes Match Against South Korea

Mexican boxing champion Saúl Canelo Álvarez attended the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 18, 2026, visibly supporting the national team. Álvarez and his wife Fernanda Gómez wore matching green bomber jackets featuring the phrase "Viva México cab..." from an exclusive Mexican brand. Fans in the stadium cheered for the boxer, who responded with a thumbs-up gesture of gratitude to the crowd.

While his attendance at Mexico's second group-stage match against South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium remains unconfirmed, Canelo expressed his support through social media, declaring "today we win" ahead of the Thursday, June 18 fixture scheduled for 7:00 p.m. local time. The Guadalajara venue holds special significance for the boxer, as it is his hometown; his last notable appearance there was in May 2023 when he fought British boxer John Ryder before over 60,000 spectators, setting an attendance record at the stadium.

Currently recovering from elbow surgery following his September 2025 loss to Terence Crawford, Canelo's rehabilitation has progressed slower than initially expected. The boxer is scheduled to return to competitive fighting in September 2026 with a bout against French-Cameroonian boxer Christian Mbilli in Riyadh. Despite his ongoing recovery, many expect Canelo will attend the South Korea match, particularly given the event's location in his native Jalisco state.

Mexico seeks to advance from the group stage with a victory against South Korea. The two nations have met twice in previous World Cups, with Mexico winning 3-1 in France 1998 and 2-1 in Russia 2018. Both teams can qualify for the next round with a win on Thursday.