As Mexican midfielder Brian Gutiérrez kicked off the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, the 100 people at the Iglesia Bautista Estrella de Belén in Mexico City erupted with applause and cheers. For the first time in its 66 years, the church gathered to watch a sporting event: In a country that nearly worships soccer, it was a watch party combined with a gospel outreach.
The match highlight wasn’t the final score—although local fans clearly appreciated Mexico’s 2–0 victory over South Africa in Aztec Stadium, six miles south of the church. The climax came at
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