[Sportschosun Jang Jong-ho] "Has a miracle in soccer happened?"
Controversy is growing after wheelchair users cheering for the FIFA World Cup were caught suddenly standing up and cheering.
The scene was filmed on the 17th local time during a 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage match between Colombia and Uzbekistan at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Colombia won 3-1 to claim its first victory of the tournament. After the match, some Colombian fans in the stadium's accessible seating section could not hide their excitement and stood up from their wheelchairs, cheering as if they were jumping.
The video quickly spread through Social Networking Service (SNS). The uploader jokingly described the scene as "The Miracle of the Azteca."
As the video spread, it drew a wide range of reactions online.
Some users posted humorous comments such as "the magic of soccer" and "a miracle created by the World Cup." Others questioned whether it was a trick to get tickets and watch the game from a relatively less crowded area.
Others argued that it was too hasty to question whether they had disabilities based on that scene alone.
One user said, "I once used a wheelchair for a month because of an ankle fracture, but I was still able to stand."
Another user said, "A disability does not necessarily mean a person cannot walk at all," adding, "Tickets for accessible seating are also issued after the relevant identity verification process."
In fact, medical experts explain that people use wheelchairs for many reasons, including spinal disorders, joint diseases, neurological conditions, chronic pain, and balance problems. Some are able to stand for short periods or move a few steps.
Jang Jong-ho bellho@sportschosun.com
