Actor and professional soccer player Cristo Fernandez participated as a Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Coin Toss Assistant during the tournament match between Canada and South Africa at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Fernandez, known for playing Dani Rojas on "Ted Lasso," joined the pre-match ceremonies as part of an expanded program featuring influential figures across North America.
The Guadalajara-born athlete signed a professional contract with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC in May 2026.
He returned to the sport after a knee injury ended his early academy career at age 15.
Before the game, Fernandez interacted with Mexico soccer legends Carlos Salcido and Andres Guardado, as well as sports broadcaster Miguel Gurwitz.
He then walked onto the pitch to shake hands with the referees and handed them the match coin following the national anthems.
Dreams and Passion
"Regardless of your age, it's cool to dream because we are told in society that only kids and young children are allowed to dream big, but I think it's for all ages," Fernandez said in an interview with Sports Illustrated while wearing Mexico's green home jersey.
The actor explained that his transition back to competitive sports allowed him to recapture his internal motivation after portraying a footballer onscreen.
"As time passed, it awoke in me, this passion again," he stated. "But also I wanted to prove to myself that I actually could play.
I was not feeling right because I was fulfilling dreams of a soccer player without being a soccer player.
I just had to go for it."
His appearance coincided with promotional activities highlighting the fan culture surrounding the tournament.
"I just love the passion for the game and the spirit of the celebration," Fernandez said in partnership with StubHub's World Cup Cuts campaign.
"The World Cup itself for me is a dream come true.
It's my first World Cup that I've [seen] in person, and I am able to live it with my sister, Paloma, and my friends."
Fernandez previously attended the inaugural tournament match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico before traveling to California for his ceremonial role.
"I went to the first inaugural game in the Estadio Azteca, so that was a dream come true and something I will never forget.
I'm just very grateful for and proud of our campaign that we are doing," he added.
In an official statement, the athlete emphasized how the sport connects people globally.
"Fútbol has taken me from Guadalajara to places I never imagined and introduced me to incredible people along the way," Fernandez stated.
"Being part of a moment as special as the FIFA World Cup 26™ feels like a dream come true."
He noted that his recent signing with El Paso Locomotive FC serves as a personal reminder of the value of taking risks.
"The passion, joy, and sense of community that fútbol creates are unlike anything else, and I'm grateful to celebrate the game with Coca-Cola and fans from around the world," Fernandez said, concluding with his signature phrase: "Porque al final del día, fútbol es vida."
Other notable participants in the tournament's pre-match ceremonies include singer Ciara, Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair, Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga, Olympic gold medalist Jon Montgomery, actress Uzo Aduba, producer Issa Rae, and television personality Carmen Villalobos.
Meanwhile, the fourth season of "Ted Lasso" is scheduled to premiere on Apple TV on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, reportedly focusing on a women's soccer team in England.
