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Soccer fans around the world are picking their favorites as the 2026 World Cup gets underway, and Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is no exception. In a recent video, the senator opened up about a soccer journey spanning two countries and a very memorable moment that changed everything.
Gallego was actually living in Mexico in 1986 when the country hosted the World Cup, cheering on El Tri alongside everyone else. However, when his family moved to Chicago, things got complicated.
During the 1994 World Cup, Gallego found himself watching the Colombia versus USA match surrounded by his Colombian family, all of them cheering loudly against the Americans.
Now, when Colombian defender Andrés Escobar accidentally knocked the ball into his own net, helping the United States advance, Gallego couldn't help himself. He erupted in celebration, but he joked that his family was not pleased.
"I could have sworn I was going to get killed by my mom," Gallego said with a laugh.
From that moment on, he said, he has been Team USA all the way.
When asked for his World Cup predictions, Gallego kept it honest. Emotionally, he wants the United States to win, but with his head, he's picking Spain, and he wouldn't count out Argentina either, especially with Lionel Messi likely playing in his final World Cup.
He also gave a nod to Mexico as his dark horse pick.
For his best World Cup song, Gallego went with Shakira's Waka Waka, not necessarily for himself, but because his young daughter Isla loves dancing to it.
On the Messi versus Ronaldo debate, Gallego didn't hesitate: Messi. To add, for his favorite Mexican player, he chose Javier Chicharito Hernández, saying the legendary striker carried the hopes of Mexican fans for years.
On Thursday, the 2026 World Cup officially started and is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with Mexico already off to a winning start after defeating South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.
The action continues today with two marquee matchups: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3:00 PM ET in Toronto, followed by the United States vs. Paraguay at 9:00 PM ET at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
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