Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, part of Banijay Americas, is gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a new travel docu series, “Tres hinchapelotas” (a working title), which roughly translates to “Three Fans, One Goal.”
Let by three Latino household names – Jaime Camil (“Jane the Virgin”), Marcelo Tinelli (“Videomatch”) and Jorge Enrique Abello (“Ugly Betty“) – the upcoming series will capitalize on the buildup to the FIFA World Cup, which will play across North America.
Using whatever means of transport available, they plan to explore “the fútbol soul” (soccer) of each city, from its restaurants, nightlife to whatever surprises they have in store, ending the journey in Mexico City.
“This isn’t your typical travel docuseries, it’s an emotional ride through the cities, cultures and fandoms with three Latin showbiz legends who eat and breathe fútbol,” said Marie Leguizamo, managing director of Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, “We can’t wait to take fans on this epic journey ahead of next year’s World Cup.”
Marie Leguizamo (Courtesy of Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic)
Camil, while best known for his role in “Jane the Virgin,” also portrayed legendary Mariachi singer-actor Vicente Fernandez in “El Rey” (Netflix), starred in Broadway’s “Chicago,” Apple TV series “Schmigadoon” and recently starred in Steven Soderbergh’s pic, “Kimi.”
He’s also a co-owner of LAFC, one of Major League Soccer’s newest franchises. In addition, he also toplined campaigns for major sports brands, brought the energy of Mexican rock band El Tri to global audiences and, like a true soccer fan, never misses critical matches.
“This will be something truly majestic,” said Camil. “This series will go beyond the normal aspect of sports-sharing experiences, offering the audience a chance to experience this fascinating, extraordinary journey with us.”
Abello agreed: “Only ideas that contain risk are worth it, and when you work with Marie Leguizamo as a producer, you know that you are going to take the maximum risk, that is what drives me to take this trip with two great friends!!!”
Colombian-born, Abello is best known as Don Armando, a key character in the most adapted telenovela in television history: the original Colombian “Ugly Betty” (“Yo soy Betty, la fea”) and its sequel “Ugly Betty: The Story Continues” (“Betty la fea: la historia continua”), both on Prime Video.
He’s starred in more than 20 telenovelas, hosted “LOL Colombia” on Prime Video and wrote the best-selling book “La Despedida,” part memoir, part social commentary.
Tinelli, a former sportscaster from Argentina, presided over the San Lorenzo soccer club for nine years where it won its first Copa Libertadores title under his tenure. He made his mark hosting “Videomatch,” that evolved into a multi award-winning sports comedy show, popular for its blooper reels, hidden cameras and sketches. His production company LaFlia has produced “Showmatch” and family docu series “Los Tinelli,” which streams on Prime Video, among others.
Said Tinelli: “It’s a great honor for me to be a part of this project, which I’m very excited about. I love soccer, I love traveling, I’m already looking forward to the next World Cup and being able to embark on this beautiful adventure with two great communicators like Jaime and Jorge motivates me enormously. These are the kind of projects that, when they come to you, you feel like it’s yours from the first minute.”
