'As much as 240,000 won' — Is this the price for the South Korean national team jersey? 'Record-breaking fervor' — 'Football fans gather en masse' in Mexico [Guadalajara IN]

*This content was translated by AI.

A festival venue opened where one could feel the intense football fever of the host nation, Mexico. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America officially kicked off, the plazas in Guadalajara were filled with cheers from football fans around the world.

Just two days before the official opening of the fan festival, the site was somewhat quiet, but once the matches began, it transformed into a completely different space. On the afternoon of the 14th (local time), the area around Plaza Liberacion was packed with thousands of football fans who flocked to enjoy the matches, not only in front of the large screens but also in every corner of the plaza.

The unsung heroes supporting this massive festival are volunteers who have gathered from around the world. A volunteer met at the site said, "There are about 200 to 300 volunteers stationed in this area alone. We will always be ready to guide both fans and media with courtesy. Although I live in Guadalajara, many of my colleagues have come to Mexico from various parts of the world, including Costa Rica and Argentina, to volunteer." He conveyed the lively atmosphere at the site.

One of the most eye-catching spots at this fan fest was the officially operated uniform store, which was running on a large scale. Based on the main booth, a large store of considerable size was located on the left, while a cute small booth was set up at the back to welcome fans.

However, the display arrangement left something to be desired. While jerseys of the host team Mexico, as well as those of the Netherlands and Germany, were prominently displayed in the front, the South Korean national team jerseys could only be retrieved from the back and checked upon specific request to a store clerk.

The prices were also quite high. According to confirmation from a store clerk on site, the uniform price was uniformly set at 2,700 pesos (approximately 240,000 won). In contrast, the official tournament ball, a mini-sized Troonida commemorative ball, was priced at 465 pesos, which was relatively affordable, and overall souvenirs were being sold at prices ranging from as low as 700 pesos to as high as 1,500 pesos.

When the media team visited the site, a group stage match between Germany and Curacao was being broadcast on the large screen. In the plaza, global fans wearing German jerseys and locals wearing green Mexican jerseys mingled and enjoyed the festival together.

The match ended with a decisive 7-1 victory for Germany. With fiery attacking football, fans, regardless of nationality, cheered enthusiastically every time a goal was scored, enjoying the on-site atmosphere. After the Germany match, the excitement continued with matches between Japan and the Netherlands.

The fun of the outer booths outside the large screen was also significant. Hundreds of people lined up to take commemorative photos, and especially in front of the intricately crafted World Cup trophy sculpture made of Lego, fans eager to take verification photos created a bustling scene. On one side of the food booths, a stall selling Korean-style hot dogs, which are popular worldwide, also appeared, captivating the taste buds of local fans.

The Guadalajara fan festival is showcasing the atmosphere of a global celebration. On the day of the fateful second match between South Korea and Mexico, which will take place a week from now, Plaza Liberacion is expected to become even hotter.

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*This content was translated by AI.