Mexican and South Korean fans unite in Gangnam Style after opening World Cup wins

Mexican and South Korean fans turned the streets into a joint party on Thursday night after both nations opened their World Cup 2026 campaigns with victories, with viral footage showing supporters from the two countries dancing, chanting, and lifting each other into the air.

Mexico, one of the tournament’s three co-hosts, kicked things off with a 2-0 win over South Korea in Mexico City. Hours later in Guadalajara, South Korea rallied to beat Czechia 2-1, giving both sets of supporters plenty to celebrate on the same evening.

The postmatch scenes quickly spread across social media. In one widely shared clip, Mexican fans joined South Korean supporters in performing the ‘Gangnam Style’ dance. In another, a South Korean fan was hoisted into the air by celebrating Mexican supporters. Perhaps the most striking moment came when Mexican fans were heard chanting, ‘Korean, brother, you’re Mexican now!’

The warmth between the two fan bases is rooted in recent history. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, South Korea’s shock 2-0 victory over Germany in the group stage directly helped Mexico advance to the knockout rounds — a result that has never been forgotten by El Tri supporters.

Those shared memories gave Thursday’s celebrations an extra layer of meaning, with fans from two nations on opposite sides of the world finding common ground through football.

The goodwill may be tested when the two sides meet in their second group match on June 18, but for now, the party belongs to everyone.