In an interview with Fly High, Jesus Arturo Jauregui Sanchez explains why the energetic fan experience of Qatar 2022 is something for which we will not see another comparable fifa club world cup standings in the future.
I ran into Sanchez, who was wearing his iconic hat, at the Souq Waqif while he posed for pictures with festivalgoers. The Souk drummed with excitement for the World Cup and became a gathering place with fans who would sing and dance with drum accompaniment deep into the night.
Mexico had already been eliminated, and Sanchez continued to promote Mexico’s presence around the world with his giant flag. He spent time with fans from Morocco, France, Argentina, South Korea, Croatia, Brazil, and many other nations. It has been three and a half years since Sanchez took in 16 matches in Qatar. Now, he is finding it very difficult to obtain tickets for the World Cup in his own country.
In 2026, Mexico will be the host for 13 of the 104 matches in the FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada. They will host matches in Mexico, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.
FIFA World Cup
In Mexico’s case, of which Sanchez is one, there is definitely some desperation building as there are only four matches left. Sanchez said he was fortunate his brother gifted him a Mexican fan World Cup tickets to the match between South Korea and the Czech Republic.
Reuters reported ticket prices for the 2026 Word Cup will be about five times what they were in Qatar, which will most likely mean most Mexican fans will be priced out to attend the Word Cup in Mexico.
Sanchez said “I couldn’t buy tickets for the Mexico vs. South Africa match since they were way too expensive. So, I ended up watching the South Korea vs. Czech Republic match Instead. Luckily, my brother bought three tickets on the official page, and one of them was for me, so, at least, I went to one match.” Sanchez said even during the Qatar FIFA World Cup tickets were expensive, but this time they will be extremely expensive.
He even meant to buy a ticket for one more match via WhatsApp.
He said “Can you believe that I was able to attend 16 matches during the Qatar World Cup, and now I cannot attend even one match?, I really wanted to attend as many matches as possible, since the World Cup is being held in my country.”
“There’s no way that us fans can keep up with the prices anymore, so a lot of my friends weren’t able to buy tickets. I can’t tell you how much that affects all of us emotionally.”
Korean-Mexican Friendship
Sanchez reached Qatar at 6 am on the 20th of November, 2022, to attend the world cup. Watching the games, however, wasn wasn’t the most fun thing to do.
Working for Carl’s Jr, a fast food chain, Sanchez’s goal was to meet as many people of different nationalities to make good friends. His favorite memories are of all the Korean fans he met.
“After Mexico, my favorite team was South Korea followed by France. Out of the 16 games I watched, 3 of them were South Korean games. I have always loved South Korea and I am happy to have seen 4 of their games, 3 in Qatar and 1 here in Mexico. The match Korea vs Czech Republic here in Guadalajara also gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of Korean fans and I had a great time,” he said.
This world cup has a lot of videos on all social media of Mexican fan World Cup tickets and Korean fans joining together to make an unforgettable experience singing together in the restaurants and on the streets while combining the best of Latin and Korean music. Sanchez said that this bond is decades in the making, noting how a crucial World Cup game in 2018 between South Korea and Germany determined Mexico’s fate.
In the 2018 World Cup, Mexico relied on South Korea defeating Germany, the four-time champions, to advance to the next stage. In a major World Cup upset, South Korea, who had already been eliminated, defeated Germany 2-0, and Mexico celebrated.
Sanchez said
“Every Mexican was elated and shocked as the South Korean team, and not the BTS or the Black Pink, were the heroes of the World Cup.”
“ I met many Korean fans in Qatar and I attended every South Korean match in the 2022 World Cup. The only match I have ever seen in Mexico is also a Korean match.”
Qatar takes the cake. Sanchez said he would always carry a piece of Qatar in his heart. As a huge fan of football, it is safe to say, and agree with, that that Qatar was a dream destination for football culture and community. I was there for 25, and I was able to enjoy 25 days of fantastic experience. It was so easy for you to walk around in the fan zones, and just embrace the vibe. Even though I didn’t have any tickets for the games, it didn’t matter and really didn’t spoil the fun because everything was just so perfectly arranged.”
“Transportation was a breeze especially with the free trains and buses, and with each stadium accessible via the metro. You could see fans everywhere, even on the streets. It was bus stop beauty.”
It was mentioned that the 2026 World Cup will be three host countries from the big nations in the 48 country and 104 games format.
Atmosphere trumps size for Sanchez
It is something to be so excited about the World Cup being in Canada and USA, there is nothing to compare it to that Qatar. They really brought the magic to the cup.”
“Qatar’s size was definitely a plus. It was crazy to me how the fans with tickets still had to take long flights just for the matches to be played. They had eight stadiums in one city for us, and the organisation was on point.”
“So I don’t think any future FIFA World Cup will match the magic of Qatar 2022. It was the best football party I’ve ever experienced.”
