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Two El Pasoans share pitch at the World Cup: Alex Zendejas makes World Cup debut; Ricardo Pepi starts second straight WC match
By Adrian Ochoa at KVIA ABC-7
· June 26, 2026
· 2 min read
Photo Courtesy: U.S. Soccer
LOS ANGELES, California - It was a special moment for two El Paso soccer players Thursday night in Los Angeles, CA.
It was the final match for Team USA in Group D play against Turkey.
The U.S. had already clinched first place in the group, so several starters...
Key takeaway Soccer LOS ANGELES, California - It was a special moment for two El Paso soccer players Thursday night in Los Angeles, CA.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The appearance of two El Pasoans on the World Cup stage is a significant moment for the local soccer community. Alex Zendejas' debut and Ricardo Pepi's second straight start demonstrate the city's growing influence on the sport. As the U.S. team moves forward to the round of 32, El Pasoans will be watching with interest to see how their hometown players contribute to the team's success. The upcoming match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California, will be particularly noteworthy, as it will determine the team's trajectory in the tournament. With two local players now having gained valuable experience on the world stage, the city's soccer fans will be eager to see how this exposure benefits the development of soccer in El Paso, potentially inspiring a new generation of young players to pursue their own dreams of competing at the highest level.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Photo Courtesy: U.S. Soccer
LOS ANGELES, California - It was a special moment for two El Paso soccer players Thursday night in Los Angeles, CA.
It was the final match for Team USA in Group D play against Turkey.
The U.S. had already clinched first place in the group, so several starters...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Adrian Ochoa at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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