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Snapshots are on the ground reports from our editorial department, field notes offering context, perspective, and a sharp lens on the cultures shaping the game.
Editorials
Members
Think Tank
Image Licensing
About
Snapshots are on the ground reports from our editorial department, field notes offering context, perspective, and a sharp lens on the cultures shaping the game.
U-17 World Cup in India
Photos: Alejandro Gutiérrez Mora
Tournament: U-17 World Cup
India
6–28 October, 2017
Photos: Alejandro Gutiérrez Mora
Tournament: U-17 World Cup
India
6–28 October, 2017
In early 2017, Imago7, the agency I work with, assigned me to cover the Mexican National Under-17 Team on their journey to the World Cup. I had never left my country for anywhere other than the United States, and I didn't even know Mexico City. This news had a huge impact, not only on my career but also on me personally. Being able to represent my country in a way was incredibly special for me, a kid from Tijuana who had just finished university. However, this wasn't entirely up to me. First, the team had to start their journey in the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in Panama, and in that tournament, they needed to reach the semifinals to secure a spot in the competition. They ended up defeating the United States in the final.
Getting to India was a really long trip; between flights and connections, I think it was about 30 hours. It was an incredibly different feeling. I was literally on the other side of the world, 11 or 12 hours ahead of Tijuana time. I remember talking to my family at 1 a.m., and it felt so strange to see that it was daytime there. But it was so exciting to be with the team. I had to photograph literally everything. When we went out to practice, I remember a lot of people coming up to ask us all for pictures. During those first few days, there was a tense calm surrounding how the tournament would start. Our group was Iraq, England, and Chile. A few days later, I got really sick. I couldn't bear the thought of missing that debut against Iraq. I remember dragging myself to the team doctor's office. Fortunately, the treatment he gave me worked, and I don't know if it was the adrenaline of being there, but by that afternoon, I was completely healthy, or at least that's how I felt. It was incredible.
At the match, it was packed; it was incredible to see the locals filling a stadium where their team wasn't even playing.The game ended in a 1-1 draw, but all the feelings from that experience are great treasures. The match against England was very exciting; they were a very good team. I remember they scored three goals and it seemed like we weren't going to recover, but two goals from Diego Lainez made us dream that we could beat them. My heart was pounding that night. In the end, we were facing the future world champions.
The stadiums where we played were beautiful, some bigger than others, from Kolkata to Guwahati and finally ending in Goa. But the one that impressed me the most was Kolkata, with its stadium holding over 60,000 people. Everything seemed simply amazing to me: having the opportunity to meet other people, speaking different languages, seeing other stadiums, even different colors at sunset, and breathing the air of a place I'd never been before. The people of India were visibly excited, and even though it was an Under-17 tournament, the World Cup had a huge impact on them.
I've been to Mexico matches where most of the fans are Mexican, I've heard them sing the national anthem in unison, but I think nothing could compare to hearing it thousands of miles away from your country, with only a few Mexicans on the field. That was the only time I've ever been overcome with emotion. It was a tremendous source of pride.
The World Cup is undoubtedly a special event. Leaving aside the political and social context in which it's taking place, I think it ultimately becomes an event where we can witness the brotherhood between nations, the warmth of the people, the love for the game, and stories that will never be repeated—not because of the organization that represents and organizes it, but because of all the factors I just mentioned. I've always thought it's an event that everyone should experience at least once in their life; perhaps for many of us, as locals, it's our only opportunity.
Getting to India was a really long trip; between flights and connections, I think it was about 30 hours. It was an incredibly different feeling. I was literally on the other side of the world, 11 or 12 hours ahead of Tijuana time. I remember talking to my family at 1 a.m., and it felt so strange to see that it was daytime there. But it was so exciting to be with the team. I had to photograph literally everything. When we went out to practice, I remember a lot of people coming up to ask us all for pictures. During those first few days, there was a tense calm surrounding how the tournament would start. Our group was Iraq, England, and Chile. A few days later, I got really sick. I couldn't bear the thought of missing that debut against Iraq. I remember dragging myself to the team doctor's office. Fortunately, the treatment he gave me worked, and I don't know if it was the adrenaline of being there, but by that afternoon, I was completely healthy, or at least that's how I felt. It was incredible.
At the match, it was packed; it was incredible to see the locals filling a stadium where their team wasn't even playing.The game ended in a 1-1 draw, but all the feelings from that experience are great treasures. The match against England was very exciting; they were a very good team. I remember they scored three goals and it seemed like we weren't going to recover, but two goals from Diego Lainez made us dream that we could beat them. My heart was pounding that night. In the end, we were facing the future world champions.
The stadiums where we played were beautiful, some bigger than others, from Kolkata to Guwahati and finally ending in Goa. But the one that impressed me the most was Kolkata, with its stadium holding over 60,000 people. Everything seemed simply amazing to me: having the opportunity to meet other people, speaking different languages, seeing other stadiums, even different colors at sunset, and breathing the air of a place I'd never been before. The people of India were visibly excited, and even though it was an Under-17 tournament, the World Cup had a huge impact on them.
I've been to Mexico matches where most of the fans are Mexican, I've heard them sing the national anthem in unison, but I think nothing could compare to hearing it thousands of miles away from your country, with only a few Mexicans on the field. That was the only time I've ever been overcome with emotion. It was a tremendous source of pride.
The World Cup is undoubtedly a special event. Leaving aside the political and social context in which it's taking place, I think it ultimately becomes an event where we can witness the brotherhood between nations, the warmth of the people, the love for the game, and stories that will never be repeated—not because of the organization that represents and organizes it, but because of all the factors I just mentioned. I've always thought it's an event that everyone should experience at least once in their life; perhaps for many of us, as locals, it's our only opportunity.