A major protest by teachers in Mexico City blocked access to the iconic Azteca Stadium for several hours on Tuesday, raising concerns just days before the venue hosts the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Thousands of demonstrators, led by a dissident faction of the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE), marched towards the stadium as football fans continued arriving in the country ahead of the tournament, which Mexico is co-hosting with the United States and Canada.
Police prevented protesters from reaching the stadium, establishing security cordons and concrete barriers around the venue. The demonstrators remained on nearby streets for around three hours before dispersing peacefully.
Mexico City Security Chief Pablo Vazquez said the protest ended without major incidents, describing the demonstration as peaceful.
The protest comes after more than a week of industrial action by teachers demanding higher salaries and the repeal of a pension law that the government says cannot be reversed due to financial constraints.
President Claudia Sheinbaum insisted that Thursday’s opening World Cup match would go ahead as planned despite the unrest.
“The opening match is guaranteed,” she said, while reiterating her opposition to using force against demonstrators.
The president has repeatedly accused organisers of the protests of attempting to damage Mexico’s international image during one of the country’s most significant sporting events.
“As if to say, ‘Look at how bad the situation is in Mexico,'” Ms Sheinbaum told reporters, describing the demonstrations as a “provocation.”
The government has pursued negotiations with union representatives, but talks have so far failed to resolve the dispute.
“We’re going to continue our struggle,” protester Austreberto Flores said, signalling that further demonstrations are planned.
Teachers have established a protest camp near the World Cup fan zone in Mexico City’s central Zocalo Square and have announced additional rallies involving relatives of missing persons, many of whom accuse criminal gangs or authorities of involvement in disappearances.
Earlier this month, police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters in the same area.
Ms Sheinbaum rejected claims that the demonstrations reflected widespread instability across the country.
“They want to make it seem like there is mass social turmoil in Mexico, and that’s not true,” she said.
The disruption comes as Mexico races to complete final infrastructure upgrades ahead of the tournament, including renovation work at subway stations and the capital’s main airport.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to attract one of the largest global audiences in sporting history, with millions set to watch the opening ceremony and opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
