Press Release

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, Somos Votantes, Climate Power En Acción, Grita Canta Vota and El Verde Es Vida held their "Fiesta Futbolera," a community activation built around the México vs. South Korea World Cup match that used the joy and electricity of fútbol as the entry point for a deeper, action-oriented nonpartisan community conversation heading into the November elections. The event took place in Rancho Corona, Phoenix, Arizona and included free food, games and prizes.

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‍"This World Cup has been a reminder of just how expensive it's become to do something as simple as watch a game with your family," said Melissa Morales, president and founder of Somos Votantes. "Groceries cost more. Gas costs more. Keeping the AC running this summer costs more. Our families do that math every day, not just during a World Cup. That's why today wasn't only a watch party, there were resources on-site to help with the costs families are facing right now. . For us, economic security and civic participation have never been separate issues. They're the same fight, and it's one we're in year-round."‍

Beyond a watch party, Fiesta Futbolera was a community resource fair where families connected with trusted local organizations offering legal aid, civic education, voter registration tools, and more. In Arizona, attendees were able to check their voter registration on-site. With live entertainment from Phoenix-based Latin Country band Nuevo Régimen, and bilingual programming, the event was designed from the ground up to make Latino families feel celebrated, welcomed, and seen.

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‍“Today’s event was about bringing together community members, leaders and organizations to enjoy the game we all love and discuss the issues most affecting our families,” said Climate Power En Accion Executive Director Antonieta Cadiz. “This is the most expensive World Cup we’ve ever witnessed, and it doesn’t stop at the price of tickets. The cost of food and drinks to enjoy the match among friends, the cost of transportation to matches and gatherings and the cost of energy to enjoy the game indoors during the summer are too high. For us, this is about more than soccer; it’s about meeting our people where they are and discussing the issues that most affect them.”

"Seeing families come together to share the passion of the world's biggest soccer event is pure magic. When you combine that excitement with the rhythm of our music and the power of our civic duty, and the importance of learning about clean energy, you create more than just a watch party—you build a movement. We're proving that by celebrating what we love, we can show up for one another and shape our future, one goal and one vote at a time," said Bacilia Angel, Grita Canta Vota and El Verde Es Vida co-founder.

This event is part of Somos Votantes' year-round commitment to combining civic engagement with economic empowerment programming — meeting Latino families where they are and connecting them with the resources they need to make their voices heard. Somos Votantes will co-host another watch party with Climate Power En Acción and Grita Canta Vota in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 24 for the Mexico-Czech Republic match.

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About Somos Votantes

Somos Votantes is a Latino-led, Latino-focused organization that runs some of the largest independent Latino civic and voter engagement programs in the country. We envision a nation where hardworking Latinos have the opportunities and tools to fully participate in our democracy. Somos Votantes seeks to empower hardworking Latinos in shaping the future of our democracy, primarily through non-partisan civic engagement programs, by increasing our participation in elections and advocating for progressive policies.

Visit https://www.somosvotantes.com/ for more information on this program and other projects, and follow the organization on Instagram, Facebook, and X.