Mexico are returning Rolex watches given to them by American content creator Stevewilldoit.
The World Cup team received the gifts at its training base ahead of its round of 32 match versus Ecuador. Stevewilldoit, whose real name is Stephen Deleonardis, said in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel that the watches ranged from $30,000 to $90,000 and were worth $1 million overall.
At another point in the video, Deleonardis told the team when asked by midfielder Obed Vargas that he gifted them the watches because he lived in Mexico and bet $2 million that they’d beat Ecuador, which Mexico eventually did 2-0. Deleonardis also said the wager would result in a $1 million profit, which equals the value of the watches.
FIFA’s code of ethics states that only gifts of “symbolic or trvial value” are permitted, and that gifts are not permitted if they are offered or accepted “as a way of influencing” participants to violate the rules or create a conflict of interest.
Punishments for any violations of the rule can result in a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,500) and “a ban on taking part in any football-related
activity for a maximum of two years”.
Mexico posted on their social media channels that they mutually decided to give the watches back to Deleonardis. They also said the content creator, who has over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, gifted the watches “on his own initiative”.
Mexico, who are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, have yet to allow a goal in four matches. They’ll host their round of 16 match versus England at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday.
