MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Mexico City witnessed a mix of celebration and unrest on Thursday as the 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway, with police deploying around key areas to prevent protesters from reaching venues near the tournament’s opening ceremony.
Several demonstrations took place across the Mexican capital as fans gathered to mark the start of football’s biggest tournament. Protesters from a range of groups, including social organisations, families of missing persons, dissident teachers, peasant associations, and transport workers, took to the streets to voice their grievances.
Tensions flared in some areas as demonstrators set fire to banners and dismantled barricades near a subway station. Police officers were deployed to secure protest zones and prevent disruptions around the stadium hosting the opening festivities.
Authorities said at least six separate protests were scheduled for Thursday, highlighting a sharp contrast between the festive atmosphere surrounding the World Cup and growing public discontent over various social and political issues.
Across the city, newly painted murals, upgraded public transport services, and a renovated stadium reflected efforts to welcome thousands of visitors and football fans. However, steel barricades erected by businesses along major roads underscored concerns about potential unrest during the tournament.
The Mexican government confirmed that 19 social movements had announced plans to stage demonstrations throughout the week of the World Cup’s inauguration, particularly around the stadium precinct and the historic Zócalo square in central Mexico City.
Mexico is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, marking the first time three nations have jointly staged the tournament.
Source: Reuters
