Korean YouTuber promotes harmony at World Cup match after racism controversy
Korean YouTuber inoCat waves Korea's national flag during a World Cup Group A match between Korea and Mexico at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, Friday. Yonhap
A Korean spectator draped in a large Korean national flag stood out in the VIP section during the a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match between Korea and Mexico at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico. Wearing a red jersey and a headband representing the Red Devils cheering squad, she smiled broadly while mingling with nearby Mexican soccer fans and supporting her country.
The spectator was popular content creator inoCat, who has 6.61 million subscribers and was targeted by anti-Asian harassment during a match one week prior. While watching the June 12 Group A match between Korea and the Czech Republic at the same stadium, a Mexican man sitting behind her made a racist gesture targeting Asians.
A Mexican football fan is seen in a screen capture from social media making a racist gesture targeting people of Asian descent during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Korea and the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, June 11. Captured from Instagram
After video footage of the incident spread online, the racism controversy quickly drew international condemnation. Internet users identified the man, prompting him to post a public apology on social media and resign as president of the Civil Engineering, Topography, Geometry, and Engineering Association of Jalisco — a local professional association.
FIFA officially invited her to the VIP section on Wednesday as an apology for the racist harassment. InoCat posted Instagram stories from the stadium, promoting harmony by filming Mexican spectators who smiled and flashed peace signs to welcome her.
Mexican soccer fans clap and cheer, left, following their team's 1-0 victory over Korea in a World Cup Group A match at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, Friday. On the right, a local spectator smiles and greets popular Korean YouTuber inoCat in a video she uploaded to her account. Captured from Instagram
Right after Korea suffered a 1-0 defeat against Mexico, she uploaded a video offering a message of sportsmanship. Moving past the incident and holding no grudges toward Mexico, the Youtuber said, "Congratulations Mexico! I hope you win the World Cup."
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.