“Ted Lasso” Star Cristo Fernández Says You 'Cannot Fake' the Experience of Watching Soccer in Person (Exclusive)

Stacy LambeTue, June 16, 2026 at 2:07 PM UTC

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Cristo Fernandez on 'Ted Lasso'Credit: Apple TV -

Cristo Fernández recalls childhood memories of attending soccer matches in Mexico with his father

The actor recently signed with USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive and is excited about soccer's growth in the U.S.

Fernández plans to attend his first FIFA World Cup in 2026, supporting games in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada

While there's no denying how fun it is to watch a soccer game on television, Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernández says nothing tops the experience of being at a match in person.

"That's something you got to do live... You cannot fake that," he tells PEOPLE, noting that atmosphere is something best experienced live surrounded by fans. "You've got to live that. That's what keeps us human. If there's anything more human than that, it's sports. And again, you've got to live it."

For the 35-year-old actor — who was born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco — watching the Chivas de Guadalajara growing up are memories he still has to this day. "Going there to the stadium and supporting my team and with my dad, those are memories that stay with me and that I have in my head," he says.

Cristo Fernandez on 'Ted Lasso'Credit: Apple TV

"Also going to the Azteca Stadium my first time was something very special," Fernández says of the Mexico City arena, which is considered to be the largest in Latin America and one of the biggest soccer stadiums in the world. "It's a big stadium and the more people you have there, the more energy. And yeah, those are some memories I have."

When it comes to soccer, the actor — who recently returned to the sport professionally after signing with the USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive in May — is excited to see the fandom grow in the U.S., especially during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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"Soccer has grown so much," Fernández says while promoting his timely new campaign with Tequila Cazadores, Carded by Cristo, which reimagines the sport's iconic yellow and red cards as a badge of pride for fans. "It's cool to watch. It's cool to witness that. And for us who really believe in the sport, soccer has something that brings people together regardless of your culture, regardless of your beliefs or where you come from. Soccer has that."

He adds, "There's so many things about soccer that I love and that I'm just very excited to watch this year at the FIFA World Cup."

Cristo Fernández for Tequila CazadoresCredit: Cazadores Tequila

While he has not previously attended a World Cup match in person, Fernández says he's excited to change that during this year's tournament, which is being hosted by Canada, Mexico and the U.S. "I'm also excited this year specifically for that because this is going to be my first time watching live, in-person with my friends and family," the athlete says, noting that he's looking forward to checking out the games being played in Mexico.

Among the 16 cities where matches will play out between June 11 and July 19, three of them are in Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey.

"It's going to be a good FIFA World Cup. And I'm also excited for the games in the U.S. Not sure I'm going to make it to the ones in Canada. It's a bit far. But here in the U.S., yes," he continues. "And it's a country that has given me opportunities. So I'll be supporting the U.S., Mexico and Canada."

He'll also be supporting one of his Locomotive teammates, Carl Sainté, who is playing in the tournament for Haiti. "A big shout out to Carl," he says, adding, "It's going to be a good year, more teams to support."

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Source: “AOL Sports”