local
Arellano: Thanks to the World Cup, I'm finally learning the words to the Mexican national anthem
By Gustavo Arellano at Los Angeles Times - California
· June 25, 2026
· 1 min read
Seeing stadiums and bars packed with Latinos wearing the jerseys of their ancestral homes and warbling their national anthems during this World Cup has been a jolt of inspiration I wasn't expecting.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The World Cup's impact on Los Angeles ' Latino communities is a testament to the city's diverse cultural landscape. As fans gather in stadiums and bars to cheer on their teams, the sounds of national anthems fill the air, creating a sense of unity and pride among locals. For many Angelenos, this moment is an opportunity to reconnect with their ancestral heritage, and the Mexican national anthem is no exception. The fact that some residents are now learning the words to the anthem highlights the strong ties between Los Angeles and Mexico, given the city's large Mexican-American population. This phenomenon also speaks to the significant role that sports play in bringing people together and fostering a sense of community in the city. As the World Cup continues, it will be interesting to see how this newfound enthusiasm for national anthems translates into other areas of cultural expression and civic engagement in Los Angeles.
About this story
Original reporting by Los Angeles Times - California . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Los Angeles Times - California . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: Los Angeles Times - California ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Los Angeles stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Seeing stadiums and bars packed with Latinos wearing the jerseys of their ancestral homes and warbling their national anthems during this World Cup has been a jolt of inspiration I wasn't expecting.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by Los Angeles Times - California and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gustavo Arellano at Los Angeles Times - California. To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter