local
Meet Caramelo, the Mexico superfan attending his 11th World Cup
By Tales Azzoni, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
Long after Mexico’s World Cup win against South Korea, fans young and old lined up outside the stadium to take photos with Héctor Chávez and his big black sombrero.Also known as Caramelo, candy in English, Chávez is arguably as well-known in Mexico as the members of the national team.He says the ...
Key takeaway He says the game last Thursday in Guadalajara was his 543rd match watching “El Tri,” which he has followed around the world since Mexico last hosted the World Cup in 1986.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For Pearland residents with Mexican heritage, Caramelo's dedication to the national team is a familiar sight, evoking memories of family gatherings and watch parties. His oversized sombrero and charismatic personality have become synonymous with Mexican soccer fandom, and his presence at the World Cup is a source of pride for many in the local community. As a city with a significant Hispanic population, Pearland's residents are likely to be following Caramelo's journey and cheering on "El Tri" alongside him. The fact that Caramelo has been able to attend 543 matches and 11 World Cups is a testament to the passion and dedication of Mexican soccer fans, many of whom call Pearland home. As the World Cup continues, it will be interesting to see how Caramelo's story resonates with local fans and whether his enthusiasm will inspire watch parties and gatherings throughout the city.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Long after Mexico’s World Cup win against South Korea, fans young and old lined up outside the stadium to take photos with Héctor Chávez and his big black sombrero.Also known as Caramelo, candy in English, Chávez is arguably as well-known in Mexico as the members of the national team.He says the ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tales Azzoni, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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