Hundreds of England football supporters gathered in Mexico City to show enthusiastic support for Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II during a recent Major League Baseball game. The group spent several hours at a 41,000-seat stadium serenading Harris with chants adapted from English football culture, creating an unusual yet spirited atmosphere at the baseball game.

Harris, positioned near the English supporters, appeared delighted by the unexpected attention. Following a 5-1 victory for the Braves over the St. Louis Cardinals, he described himself as England’s “newest fan” in a post-match interview. The player swapped his baseball cap for an England football jersey, wearing it pitchside in a gesture that resonated with the fans.

In his remarks, Harris acknowledged that the intensity of English football-style support was unfamiliar to him. “They picked a random player and I was the random guy,” he said with a smile. “They were yelling for me to come over and I had that interaction and it was pretty fun.” He also took videos with the supporters and expressed interest in watching England’s World Cup matches if the team advances further in the tournament.

The chants delivered by the fans drew heavily on football traditions, including slogans such as “There’s only one Michael Harris,” “Harris, give us a wave, Harris, Harris give us a wave,” “Walking in a Harris Wonderland,” and “Baseball’s coming home,” a play on England’s football anthem. Harris reciprocated by waving and tossing signed baseballs to the crowd as a token of appreciation.

Among the supporters was Nigel Whittle, a fan of Bristol City, who described the group’s lively behavior as typical “English banter.” He explained that the goal was to introduce the energy and atmosphere associated with English football to a different sporting environment, enhancing the experience for both the players and fellow spectators.

Looking ahead, Harris indicated he would be keen to follow England’s progress in the World Cup. Should England advance to the semifinals, scheduled for July 15 in the state of Georgia, Harris expressed interest in attending matches and continuing his newfound support for the team.