The 2026 World Cup has proven to be one of the most heartwarming sporting events ever. While we've had some unforgettable goals and history-making achievements from players, there have been laugh-out-loud, tear-jerking, viral moments happening off the field. Like the happy reunion of a woman with her dog that had been missing for weeks.
© Ale Garcia24-year-old Ale García's dog La Gorda had been missing for nearly a month before she was spotted looking like a true but somewhat confused Mexico fan in the middle of a crowd celebrating Mexico’s win over the Czech Republic. Now, they're back together, and the story is incredible.
The dogmama shared how it all went down with The Washington Post, saying her brother called her into his room the night Mexico won, speaking so fast and excitedly that she could barely understand him.
From what she could make out, he was trying to tell her he had seen La Gorda on live video. García told The Washington Post she didn't believe him “Because it was too far from where I live to the stadium, so I said to myself, ‘How can a little dog get there?’”
Then she saw it in her own eyes on the Facebook Live link. In the clip, the 6-year-old dog is in another man's arms as he lifts her in the air, dancing during the post-match celebrations in Ciudad Victoria, near the local stadium.
García immediately called her friend, Kenia Aldape, and the two got in the car. "I didn’t want to waste time because I said, ‘I don’t want her to run more!’” Aldape said.
They drove straight to the scene and started calling her name, and within moments, La Gorda came running. The dog had clearly been through a lot and was thin and limping.
La Gorda was described by his mom as clever and mischievous since puppyhood. She told the outlet that the escape occurred through a tiny hole. She said it had happened before, but she usually came back.
García said she posted everywhere she could and was hot on the case, checking every lead. She said two people told her they had spotted La Gorda, but by the time she arrived, it was too late. “We knew she was alive,” García said.
But if that story wasn't great enough, there was a hilarious realization. La Gorda had apparently become something of a local celebrity while wandering the city.
After García shared their reunion online, the story exploded across social media, and strangers began sending her photos and videos showing everywhere La Gorda had been during her month away.
People who thought she was a stray had been feeding her, giving her water, and quietly looking after her without realizing someone was desperately searching for her.
“I was so surprised because she went to so many places this month,” García said. “She was walking all over the city.”
La Gorda had lost 15 pounds, and her front paw was injured, but thankfully, she recovered quickly.
