{"id":2997,"date":"2026-06-25T05:37:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T05:37:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=2997"},"modified":"2026-06-25T05:37:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T05:37:55","slug":"world-cup-fever-continues-to-grip-downtown-san-jose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=2997","title":{"rendered":"World Cup fever continues to grip downtown San Jose"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN JOSE \u2013 FIFA World Cup fever continued to grip the South Bay on Wednesday evening, with scores of soccer fans once again flocking to San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose for the latest in a string of highly attended watch parties.<\/p>

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The matchup between Czechia and Mexico was slated to start at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

Fans paraded past Five Points, a bar near the square, waving flags with Mexico\u2019s colors. Some carried large bass drums. And nearly everyone was clad in a Mexico jersey.<\/p>\n

Alma Gutierrez, 28, Jennifer Granados, 25, and Wendy Palma, 21, all of San Jose, were at the bar with several friends. The women, who also wore Mexico jerseys, were planning to attend the watch party.<\/p>\n

Palma, a lifelong San Jose resident, said it was her first time experiencing a World Cup in her hometown.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, it\u2019s a good experience,\u201d Palma said. \u201cBringing Mexicans, Colombians, Brazilians out here, I feel like it\u2019s cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m actually pretty excited and it\u2019s actually an honor to be able to be part of it,\u201d added Gutierrez, who grew up watching Mexico play.<\/p>\n

While the mood was celebratory and festive, the three women took a moment to weigh in on President Donald Trump\u2019s ongoing efforts to deport undocumented migrants.<\/p>

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\u201cI feel like what he\u2019s doing is not right,\u201d Granados said. \u201cHe comes from an immigrant family. Why is he deporting people who have worked hard and pay taxes all their life?\u201d<\/p>\n

As fans waited for the game to start, some formed a circle to kick around a soccer ball.<\/p>\n

Dayanara Toledo, 20, of San Jose, held up a sign that read \u201cbaddies love la seleccion.\u201d National teams in Spanish-speaking countries are often referred to as \u201cla seleccion,\u201d or \u201cthe selection.\u201d<\/p>

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\u201cIt feels so great,\u201d said Toledo, who is attending UC Riverside. \u201cWhen the World Cup was starting, I came out here to support everybody with all my friends, so I\u2019m just so happy.\u201d<\/p>

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Toledo wanted to see Mexico win and qualify for the next round. Referring to her sign, she said, \u201cMe and my friends, we love Mexico, we love la seleccion and we\u2019re ready to watch the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Humberto Vargas, 44, of San Jose, came to the event wearing a wide-brimmed black sombrero. Purchased in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, the traditional hat was decorated with a red and green beaded flower. Vargas said he was there to \u201cfeel a little bit of the World Cup.\u201d He also appreciated how everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo fighting, no nothing,\u201d Vargas said about the event. \u201cJust pretty much a party.\u201d<\/p>\n