Jonathan Aranda roots for Mexico in the World Cup

HOUSTON – Even though the 2026 World Cup is played during the baseball season, Jonathan Aranda has kept close tabs on Mexico’s historic run in this summer’s tournament.

The Tampa Bay Rays All-Star got comfortable on his couch before tuning in to watch Mexico’s opening game versus South Africa.The Tijuana native enjoyed the full 90 minutes because it was an off-day for Tampa Bay.

The Rays first basemen was blessed with another Thursday day off to watch the highly anticipated game between South Korea and Mexico. Aranda had games during Mexico’s games against Czech Republic and Ecuador, but he checked the score once his game was done.

¡ARAAANDAAAA! 🤩

Bombazo de tres carreras del de la Tía.💥#EsMiSangre 🩸🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/8neuacVUcz

— Novena México 🇲🇽⚾ (@MexicoBeis) March 6, 2026

Aranda is looking forward to Mexico’s Round of 16 match against England on Sunday night. He’ll have a game against the Astros at 2:30 central time. Surely, after the game Aranda will be cheering on his countrymen on the plane ride back to Tampa. 

“It’s going to be a great, close game,” he said. “I wish the entire Mexican soccer team good luck, and I hope that we can win the World Cup this year.”

Aranda in WBC

Aranda has done his part in representing Mexico. The 28-year-old first baseman has donned Mexico’s red, white and green in the previous two World Baseball Classics. The left handed slugger helped Mexico reach the semifinals in 2023. He was Mexico’s leading offensive weapon this past March. 

The 6-foot left-hander knows what it’s like to sport his country’s colors. 

“It’s not just the team,” Aranda told Our Esquina during the World Baseball Classic. “It’s the whole country. We are playing for our (flag’s) colors, and truly I’m very excited.” 

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Jonathan Aranda isn’t shy about showcasing his Mexican pride. Throughout the baseball you’ll see Aranda wearing something with the Mexican flag. At times it’s a headband, belt or even cleats in Mexico’s green, white and red.

During the 2025 All-Star game celebration, Aranda and his family walked the red carpet waving a Mexican flag. He wore a white suit with a Mexican flag pin attached to his suit jackets. The men in his family wore green suits, and the women wore green-and-red dresses.

All-Star Aranda

Aranda hopes for another opportunity to represent Mexico at the All-Star game. He knows he has the numbers for it as he admitted he is having greater success than he did last year when he became an All-Star for the first time.  

He’s on pace to surpass his last year totals in most offensive categories. He needs two more home runs and RBIs to break his career highs. The power surge he’s on isn’t really his game, but Aranda explained his uptick in home runs from just trying to get on base. 

“My mentality has stayed the same from last year, and that is trying to help the team win,” Aranda said. “Fortunaly more things have been working compared to last year. 

“I’ve produced a little more power. That is something that I am not used too but happy to contribute to the team in a positive way.”

Rays manager Kevin Cash believes his first place team has many All-Star candidates, Aranda included.

“I think I’ve said between (Junior) Caminero, (Bryan) Baker, Yandy (Diaz), (Drew) Rasmussen, Nick (Martinez), (Jonthan) Aranda, (Shane) McClanahan,” Cash said. “You just hope they get the right consideration.”