World Cup 2026: Protests in Mexico City raise security concerns ahead of opening match

Two days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, large-scale protests in Mexico City have created uncertainty around preparations for the tournament's opening match at the famous Estadio Azteca.

Thousands of demonstrators from a dissident faction of Mexico's National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) blocked the main access routes to the stadium on Tuesday, disrupting traffic and drawing the attention of authorities and football fans worldwide.

The stadium is scheduled to host the opening ceremony and the first match of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday.

The protests are part of an ongoing campaign by teachers demanding higher wages and the repeal of a pension reform law that they argue unfairly affects education workers.

Demonstrations have been taking place across Mexico City for several days, with protesters occupying major roads and public spaces in the capital.

The timing of the protests has increased pressure on the Mexican government, which is seeking to ensure a smooth start to the first FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. Authorities now face the challenge of restoring normal access to one of the tournament's most important venues before fans begin arriving in large numbers.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum described the actions as a "provocation" but indicated that her administration is not currently considering the use of force to disperse demonstrators.

The government has instead continued dialogue with union representatives in an effort to resolve the dispute.

Reports from local media indicate that some protests have also targeted World Cup-related infrastructure and monuments, further heightening concerns about security and logistics ahead of the tournament.

With the eyes of the football world set to turn toward Mexico City on Thursday, authorities are working against the clock to prevent the demonstrations from overshadowing the opening of the biggest sporting event on the planet.