Masked wrestlers have become a prominent symbol of the World Cup in Mexico, appearing in streets and bars around stadiums as fans embrace the spectacle of lucha libre.
International travelers are increasingly drawn to the sport, which, alongside soccer, is considered a national passion in Mexico. Many visitors view attending a lucha libre event as an essential part of their experience in the country. "You can’t come to Mexico and not come to watch lucha libre. It’s a great tradition, a classic," said Andy Winston, a Manchester native who has traveled to all three World Cup host countries with his family.
Inside the wrestling arenas, fans from various national teams, including England, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, and Mexico, cheer for their favorites. "It was a wonderful night, much better than I imagined," said Henrique Nunes dos Santos from Brazil. "There’s a gigantic energy."
Lucha libre, which dates back to the early 20th century, combines techniques from American and Greco-Roman wrestling with aerial acrobatics and performance elements. This unique blend has become a significant part of Mexican culture and was declared part of Mexico City’s cultural heritage in 2018. "Lucha libre is in our roots. For almost 93 years, it has been part of us Mexicans and has also become a calling card for Mexicans," explained Julio César Rivera, spokesperson for the World Wrestling Council.
The matches often follow a narrative of good versus evil, with wrestlers known as "técnicos" (the good guys) facing off against "rudos" (the bad guys). Central to the spectacle are the masks, which are vibrant and can be intimidating, often depicting symbolic figures, animals, or superheroes. These masks represent the wrestler's alter ego and cultural heritage, adding a layer of mystery and mystique. Wrestlers rarely reveal their real names to maintain this persona. "Lucha libre is my life," said Star Black, a 30-year-old wrestler whose family has sold masks for generations.
The World Cup has amplified lucha libre's visibility. Mexico has become a popular base for tourists attending matches in other host countries, and the sport's popularity has surged. "Lucha libre was already popular, but now with the World Cup, the arenas are much more crowded, and we see many tourists there wearing their jerseys and shirts of their respective national teams," said José Ángel Garfias Frías, an expert in lucha libre at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Masks are a common sight around the stadiums, often displayed alongside national flags by vendors. Although FIFA's security protocols prohibit masks inside the stadiums, some fans have been seen wearing them. Representatives for FIFA referred questions to their code of conduct.
Lucha libre and soccer have a long-standing connection. For instance, Argentine soccer player Gabriel Pereyra was known to wear a Místico mask after scoring for the Mexican club Cruz Azul. Wrestlers like América Salvaje in the 1970s were also inspired by soccer teams, wearing masks that featured team colors.
"Lucha libre is Mexico. It’s part of our identity. And it’s as popular as soccer," said Claudio Díaz, one of the many masked fans celebrating Mexico's victories. Some believe lucha libre represents Mexican identity more profoundly than soccer. "I feel that soccer doesn’t represent us Mexicans as much; lucha libre represents us way more," said wrestler Dragón Legendario. "People from all walks of life come here: from grandmothers to businessmen to the women who run small restaurants — it has all kinds of fans."