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"Wixárika artisan Luis Carrillo, known as 'El Wicho,' is transforming the 2026 World Cup soccer balls into pieces of Mexican indigenous art that have begun to attract the attention of fans, collectors, and social media users, as shown in the images recorded on Wednesday. "These are patterns that are significant to us Wixárika people, with symbolism that represents our community," Carrillo explained. Originally from the state of Jalisco, but residing in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Carrillo adorns the World Cup balls using the traditional Huichol beadwork technique, an internationally recognized artisanal method known for its complexity, symbolism, and manual precision. Each piece is covered by hand with hundreds of tiny, multicolored beads, attached one by one, a process that can take days to complete. “It takes approximately five to six days to make, since it involves beadwork, one by one, and we have to do it efficiently so that it doesn't turn out badly, all the logos and everything, so that it looks exactly the same,” the artisan explains. Carrillo's work is part of an artistic tradition deeply linked to the Wixárika people, popularly known as Huichol, an indigenous community located primarily in Jalisco, Nayarit, Durango, and Zacatecas. Their art is recognized for its use of ancestral symbols, vibrant colors, and spiritual compositions made with yarn and beads. His work went viral after a video was posted on social media showing one of his decorated balls in detail. The impact was immediate; thousands of users began sharing the images and requesting information to purchase similar pieces, which cost approximately 6,000 Mexican pesos. “We try to make sure it works out well for us too, so we don't charge too much, but here in the city, I'm selling the ball for about 6,000 pesos, and that's just for the labor. The ball itself is separate; if I buy it, the price goes up, and if you bring me the ball, then it's the regular price of 6,000 pesos,” the artist explains. The connection between Huichol art and soccer is not new. On June 17, 2025, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum presented a soccer ball decorated with Wixárika (Huichol) art to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the 51st G7 Summit, held in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, as a symbol of friendship in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup."
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