MEXICO CITY — On this pitch there’s no goalkeepers, no grass, no referees. With a little spray paint, any street in the Mexican capital is transformed into a soccer field, and its residents and sometimes tourists become the players.
It’s a street form of soccer that has regained popularity fueled by the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In November, four Mexicans founded “Reta Mexa” on social media, where they invite soccer fans to play impromptu matches every Friday on different streets in Mexico City.
“I have a son who loves soccer, and I see that he and his generation have become stuck at home,” explained Roy Jiménez, one of the four founders and father of Luis Enrique, a 12-year-old boy.
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Playing soccer in the streets is known among Mexicans as a “reta,” a word that means “duel” or “challenge.” It’s part of the country’s longstanding
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