When the Mexican National Team faced England in a high-stakes World Cup round of 16 match, the New England Patriots found a clever way to show support—by temporarily renaming themselves. Through their official Patriots Español account, the NFL franchise posted a mock executive order that quickly went viral across social media.
“As a demonstration of support for the Mexican National Team in their most critical match of the century, we request that you do not mention we are from New England this weekend,” the post read. “Until the match concludes, we are simply the Patriots.” The move was a playful nod to the word “England” in the team’s name, and it resonated deeply with Mexican fans who were already engaging in their own forms of lighthearted sabotage.
Mexican Fans’ Creative Boycotts
The Patriots’ campaign aligned with a broader wave of satirical trends among Mexican supporters on platforms like Instagram and X. Fans organized a temporary boycott of Worcestershire sauce—known locally as salsa inglesa (English sauce)—a staple in micheladas. The ingredient became a target for pre-match superstitions, with many vowing to skip it until the final whistle. This cultural moment was part of a larger effort to disrupt England’s preparation, as detailed in our piece on Mexico's Pre-Match Mind Games: How Fans Disrupted England's World Cup Prep.
The Patriots’ social media team clearly understood this context. By leaning into the humor, they strengthened their bond with Mexican audiences—a demographic the franchise has cultivated for decades.
A Historic Match with High Stakes
Mexico entered the knockout stage after an impressive run: four consecutive victories without conceding a single goal. That defensive record had only been matched once before in World Cup history, by Italy in 1990. After an emotional win over Ecuador, El Tri faced their best chance to reach the quarterfinals since 1986. The match, held at a packed venue in Mexico City, carried immense weight for a nation that lives and breathes fútbol. For a full recap, see Julián Quiñones Shines as Mexico Falls to England in World Cup Classic.
The Patriots’ decision to back Mexico instead of the U.S. team—which played Belgium around the same time—was a strategic choice. While most American sports franchises focused on supporting the U.S. squad, New England went against the grain, recognizing the power of its Mexican fanbase.
Deep Roots in Mexico City
The Patriots’ connection to Mexico isn’t just digital. The franchise has played two games at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City: a 1998 preseason matchup against the Dallas Cowboys and a 2017 regular-season victory over the Oakland Raiders. These visits have cemented the team’s popularity south of the border, making it one of the most profitable international fan bases in the NFL. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, has only intensified such cross-sport marketing efforts.
By dropping “England” from their name for a weekend, the Patriots showed they understand the nuances of Latino culture—where humor, pride, and a shared love of sport can bridge even the biggest rivalries. It was a masterclass in cultural marketing, one that Mexican fans won’t soon forget.
