At the first FIFA World Cup match in Arlington on June 14, a sea of orange jerseys representing the Netherlands\u2019 national team swarmed around the area near Choctaw Stadium and Mark Holtz Lake.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Guido Janssen and his partner Miek van Rens-Verbers \u2014 the self-appointed \u201cQueen of Cheese\u201d \u2014 were among the fans sporting their Dutch pride that afternoon. Both wore head-to-toe orange outfits, handmade entirely by the pair.<\/p>\n
To the couple, rooting on their team didn\u2019t just mean having a favorite player or a love for the sport. The World Cup was an opportunity for them to showcase what their country represents to them \u2014 something they said they couldn\u2019t do with just a jersey.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They weren\u2019t the only fans attending the games in head-turning looks. For about the last month, fan spirit reigned over Arlington as locals mixed with international visitors to express their love for their nationality, their culture and their team through their game-day best.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Costume catwalk
\n![\"(Christine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20260622_ARGvsAUS-1-1024x683.jpg\")
Left to right: Argentina fans Mart\u00edn Borio, Pedro Accastello and Lucas Trevisan wear outfits representing the team\u2019s past championship wins before their World Cup game against Austria on June 22, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Their handheld silver star character represents their hopes to welcome a fourth win. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report) <\/p>\n
As the sun beamed onto what was called Dallas Stadium during the World Cup before Argentina and Austria clashed June 22, Pedro Accastello and his two friends, Mart\u00edn Borio and Lucas Trevisan, stood outside in metallic gold costumes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The trio literally dressed like stars, with pointed gold hats and a shiny gold poncho-esque top to finish off the look. The outfits represented the three stars depicting championships stitched on top of Argentina\u2019s emblem on its jersey.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everything about the World Cup was special, Accastello said. For him, interacting with other Argentina fans was the most exciting part.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe excitement the national team generates and the experience of coming here \u2014 it\u2019s all beautiful, all truly special,\u201d Accastello said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"(Christine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20260622_ARGvsAUS-3-1024x683.jpg\")
Emiliano Molina, a fan from Argentina, dresses up as General Jos\u00e9 de San Mart\u00edn before the World Cup game against Austria on June 22, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Molina said Dallas weather made it very hot. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report) <\/p>\n
Accastello spent four days creating the Tres Estrellas (Three Stars) costume for himself and his friends. The years \u201978, \u201986, and \u201922 in abbreviated form were stitched on each of their chests, representing when Argentina\u2019s World Cup wins occurred.<\/p>\n
A fourth member of the group \u2014 a small silver glove puppet shaped like a star \u2014 delivered his line from Accastello\u2019s hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHi guys, my name is Estrell\u00edn,\u201d Accastello, now in ventriloquist mode with a squeaky voice, relayed in Spanish.<\/p>\n
Accastello said Estrell\u00edn was silver in color so as not to jinx Argentina\u2019s chances of winning a fourth World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGod willing, I will turn gold on July 19!\u201d Accastello said.<\/p>\n
Spain won the July 19 final over Argentina, 1-0. Estrell\u00edn will have to stay silver for at least another four years.<\/p>\n
Fans who didn\u2019t forget to accessorize
\n![\"(Christine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20260714_SPNvsFRA-7-1024x683.jpg\")
Houston resident Jean-Philippe Hebral dresses up as \u201cpure, traditional French,\u201d culture during the World Cup match semifinal between Spain and France on July 14, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Hebral said despite living in Texas he is \u201cFrench at heart.\u201d (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
\n![\"(Christine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20260714_SPNvsFRA-1-730x1024.jpg\")
Fans from Peru Abraham Quispe, left, and son Caleb Quispe head to the World Cup Spain vs. French game July 14, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Abraham said he is excited to share his Inca culture with his outfit. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
Abraham Quispe attended the July 14 semifinal match between eventual champion Spain and France with his family in Arlington. While he was not rooting for a specific team, he felt it necessary to use the opportunity to share a part of his Native Incan heritage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us, this culture represents a great deal \u2014 a legacy from our ancestors,\u201d Quispe said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dressed in a replica of a classic Incan headdress and jewelry, with red patterns and gold accents, Quispe said he was just excited for the opportunity to witness the game with his son, Caleb, who was rooting for France.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy son is a huge fan of the team,\u201d Quispe said. \u201cAnd as I have said, we live for the game \u2014 it\u2019s a celebration. Football is all about that passion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rens-Verbers and Janssen, the Dutch fans, used their own taste in accessories to show off their culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"(Christine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20260622_ARGvsAUS-4-683x1024.jpg\")
Flavia Aguirre, a fan from Argentina, wears a tapestry from Argentina with cultural icons before their World Cup game against Austria on June 22, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got cheese, a lot of cheese. So I\u2019ve got a cheese on my head and a cow above,\u201d Rens-Verbers said, pointing to her head. \u201cThe cow gives milk, and cheese is made out of milk.\u201d<\/p>\n
The entire outfits took about four weeks to make. A hat shaped like a cheese wheel with a small toy cow standing on top and the words \u201cDon\u2019t take this queen home\u201d written across completed Rens-Verbers\u2019 ensemble.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are proud to be Dutch. I think the roots of Holland are in our hearts,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not your everyday outfit<\/p>\n
Arlington resident Ashley Carrillo arrived at Texas Live! with friends on July 5 to watch a broadcast of Mexico\u2019s Round of 16 match against England. Carrillo said she wanted to make something memorable and unique that was still wearable for what ended up being Mexico\u2019s final game in this World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"(Christine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20260705_MEXvsENG-2-683x1024.jpg\")
Arlington resident Ashley Carrillo wears a handmade outfit during a broadcast of the World Cup game between Mexico and England on July 5, 2026, at Texas Live! in Arlington. Carrillo rhinestoned the top with \u00bfY si s\u00ed?, which she said translates to \u201cWhat if yes?\u201d (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report) <\/p>\n
Carrillo went to a thrift store in Arlington and hunted for red, white and green T-shirts. Once she found what she was looking for, the Mexico fan cut the T-shirts into thin strings, braided them together, and tied them to a white skirt she made from a white tee. She carefully bedazzled her skirt and halter top. \u201cMexico\u201d was emblazoned on the skirt, with a small firework-shaped star hanging above.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Carrillo\u2019s finishing touch, she bedazzled the words \u201cY si, s\u00ed?\u201d, a popular rally cry for Mexico fans who are hoping for what others may perceive as impossible.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018So like, what if yes, you know? What if we do win?\u201d Carrillo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite their team\u2019s 3-2 loss<\/a>, Mexico fans continued to show out even if \u201cEl Tri\u201d was no longer playing. That was the case for Dallas resident Lalo Martinez, who said he would use any game as an excuse to show off his Mexico suit.<\/p>\n Martinez waltzed around the Entertainment District before the final World Cup match in Arlington, the semifinal between Spain and France.\u00a0<\/p>\n Martinez purchased the suit for $135 at a Mexican department store, Liverpool, which he described as the Mexican equivalent of Nordstrom. The suit replicates the green Aztec print seen on the Mexico team jersey, along with red button details and a red pocket square. Martinez wore a black Mexico jersey underneath the suit to tie the outfit together.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although his team didn\u2019t make it past the round of 16, Martinez said he would still rather show up and show out than not show up at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI like the compliments, you know? People tell me, \u2018Hey, man, that\u2019s a nice suit, and then people tell me in Spanish, \u2018Qu\u00e9 elegancia la de Francia.\u2019\u201d Martinez said, using a Spanish term meant to convey French elegance. \u201cIt\u2019s my first World Cup and it\u2019s here on my back patio, so why not?\u201d<\/p>\n Bianca Rodriguez-Mora is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at bianca@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"(Christine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20260714_SPNvsFRA-3-1024x683.jpg\")
Dallas resident Lalo Mart\u00ednez wears a Mexico suit during the World Cup semifinal match between Spain and France on July 14, 2026, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. Mart\u00ednez bought the suit from Liverpool, a shop he described as the Mexico Nordstrom. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report) <\/p>\n