Many supporters wore Mexico's green national team jerseys or carried large Mexican flags as they packed La Rosa on Sunday to watch the country's Round of 16 match against England. They waited through a one-hour weather delay after lightning and rain in Mexico City pushed back kickoff.
Despite the delay, fans filled the former Benedictine church, completed in 1940, where a giant video screen stood in front of the altar. The Telemundo broadcast echoed through the former monastery as supporters cheered every chance Mexico created.
La Rosa founder and owner David Slutes said hosting World Cup watch parties has been one of the highlights of the summer, even with the uncertainty of tournament scheduling.
“It’s sort of like a game of battleship because we have booked a lot of shows,” Slutes said before kickoff. “So you have to hope it lands right where you don’t have a show. And so far we’ve been blessed.”
Sunday’s game marked La Rosa's second World Cup watch party since opening last fall, with both events centered on Mexico. For World Cup traveler and author Guillermo Najar, who attended both, the venue adds another layer of meaning.
“A church is a place where many Mexicans go to for their spiritual needs and their faith needs, and I think soccer is a similar kind of outlet for a lot of the emotions that Mexicans accumulate,” he said.
Najar said soccer is a religion for many Mexicans, making a World Cup match between Mexico and England in Mexico City especially significant. The matchup reminded him of England's famous 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina at Estadio Azteca, when Diego Maradona scored the controversial "Hand of God" goal in Argentina's 2-1 victory.
Najar felt similarities between the two games
“I feel that this match brings up those vibes,” Najar said. “A different legacy, nonetheless, but we have to be able to look back at what happened 40 years ago and say, ‘Okay, there's the same story kind of happening again.’”
Born in Mexico before later living in London, Najar said the match carried personal significance because of his connection to both countries. He has attended every men's World Cup since 2014 and is currently writing an untitled book about soccer around the world.
Slutes said he hoped Mexico would advance not only because it would bring another watch party to La Rosa, but because it’s Tucson’s home team.
“Mexico is our home team,” Slutes said. “This is better than the Super Bowl for us. That they keep winning is remarkable and we're you know there's just a lot of joy in the room and the business has been great.”
Mexico ultimately fell 3-2 in a dramatic back-and-forth match. Trailing 3-1 early in the second half, England was reduced to 10 players after a red card for a reckless foul. Mexico converted a penalty to cut the deficit to 3-2 and spent the final 30 minutes pressing relentlessly for an equalizer, but could not find the tying goal.
Even as Mexico’s loss became apparent, many supporters remained inside La Rosa until the final whistle.
Najar said he was devastated by the result but remains hopeful for the future.
“Hopefully in four years, the next World Cup, a new opportunity for the Mexican national team,” Najar said.
La Rosa staff counted 727 people inside before halftime and estimated that roughly 800 people attended throughout the match. Among those in attendance were Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, both wearing Mexico colors.
With Mexico eliminated, Najar said he'll spend the rest of the 2026 World Cup cheering for the U.S. Men's National Team.
