Will the World Cup Be Disrupted? Massive Protests in Mexico

Tens of thousands of people are protesting near the stadium where the host team will face South Africa.

The opening whistle for the 2026 World Cup will sound tomorrow, Thursday, at the legendary Azteca Stadium, where Mexico will play South Africa. For the first time since the 1986 World Cup, when the local team’s coach Javier Aguirre was a player himself, the iconic stadium will host the biggest tournament in the world for the third time in its history.

There is widespread concern among the Mexican public, and not only about the match against the Bafana Bafana, which will be a replay of the 2010 World Cup opening game and symbolizes no small amount of trauma for the North American country. At the same time as the football celebration, there have been many public protests over the cost of living, the education system and the government’s priorities. Some voices say the country is investing enormous resources in the event while more urgent social problems remain.

Most of the protests are by teachers demanding better working conditions, and they have even set up protest tents in the fan zone. Judges are protesting against government reforms, as are animal rights activists, a topic that receives considerable attention in the country.

The largest uprising is expected from the families of more than 130,000 missing citizens, some of whom were abducted by criminal organizations of one kind or another, a particularly painful issue in the country. President Claudia Sheinbaum, for her part, does not need to fear the cartels, since the organizations operate primarily out of business interests and usually prefer to avoid actions that could bring enormous international attention or a harsh response from the government and foreign security agencies. Past cases also show that they keep a low profile at high-profile events.

"Those looking for fun at Mexico City’s World Cup fan zone will be disappointed, as it’s been taken over by a tent city due to teachers protesting over pay," Sky's @robharris reported from there.

World Cup 2026