Subbed Off: Oribe Peralta Covers Fan's Work Shift So He Can Watch Mexico at the World Cup
By Sports Correspondent
A Mexico football fan who thought he would miss his country's FIFA World Cup clash because of work got the surprise of a lifetime when former striker Oribe Peralta turned up to cover his shift.
Juanito Duran, 25, had posted on social media that he was disappointed to be missing another Mexico match because he was due to work as a chef at Las Tlayudas in Mexico City.
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Instead, the Olympic gold medallist arrived at the restaurant ready to take his place, allowing the lifelong supporter to swap the kitchen for the stands at Mexico City Stadium.
The surprise was organised by Rexona, the Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Substitution Boards, after the brand spotted Duran's post online.
For Peralta, who represented Mexico at three FIFA World Cups, the experience offered a different kind of challenge.
"Having represented Mexico at the FIFA World Cup, I know the pride and pressure that comes with wearing your country's shirt," he said.
"What I hadn't experienced until now was the pressure carried by the people working behind the scenes to keep the tournament running.
"It was an honour to step in for Juanito so he could enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But after a day in the kitchen, I think it's fair to say my talents are better suited to football."
The campaign was inspired by new research commissioned by Rexona, which found that six in 10 Mexican fans expect to miss at least one World Cup match because of work or other commitments.
Nearly eight in 10 said they had previously missed major sporting events for the same reason, while almost nine in 10 said they would happily let someone else cover their shift if it meant they could watch their country play.
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Ben Curtis, Global Brand Vice President at Rexona, said the idea was to recognise the workers who help make major sporting events possible while often missing out themselves.
He said: "Some of football's greatest moments come from substitutions, and we wanted to bring that idea to life by giving one fan the chance to swap work for a seat at the match."
The activation forms part of Rexona's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, celebrating the fans and workers whose efforts help make football's biggest tournament possible.
