Gilberto Mora Receives Fan Ovation on Flight Back to Tijuana After World Cup

Mexican midfielder Gilberto Mora, 17, was greeted with a spontaneous ovation by passengers on a commercial flight to Tijuana after Mexico's exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. Videos showed the young Xolos player signing shirts, handing caps to crew members and receiving cheers such as “Gracias por representar a México.”

Upon landing at the Tijuana International Airport, dozens of supporters waited, offering autographs and photos. The warm reception continued when an admirer recognized Mora in traffic and greeted him from a car, prompting the player to roll down his window and acknowledge the crowd. His four appearances – three as a starter – and composure on the field have made him one of the tournament's standout prospects for the Mexican national team.