Football World Cup: Protests in Mexico City escalate before the start of the World Cup

Relatives of around 130,000 people missing in Mexico, including the 43 students from the Ayotzinapa teachers’ college who have been missing since 2014, as well as farmers and drivers, are also planning protests and road blockades. They want to use the international attention created by the World Cup to make their demands heard.

A total of 13 of the 104 games in the World Cup, which is organized jointly with the USA and Canada, will be played in co-host country Mexico. Demonstrations are planned around stadiums in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Outbreak of violence by the cartels versus social protests

Back in February, violent clashes following the arrest and killing of a drug cartel leader raised concerns about security during the World Cup in Mexico. Around 70 people died at that time.

Now the social protests are giving the government a headache. “There is a lot of provocation,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said at a news conference. “They provoke and want us to act and put down the protests.”

Zócalo Square is cordoned off for the FIFA festival

Radicalized teachers from the CNTE union have been blocking main roads in and around Mexico City for days. They have also set up a tent camp in the historic center of the capital. After damaging the huge statues of football players, they moved to the headquarters of the Ministry of Education and, among other things, smashed windows there.

An attempt by the teachers to reach the central Zócalo Square was initially prevented by the police this week. The FIFA Fan Festival will take place on the pitch. There – and not in the stadium – President Sheinbaum also wants to watch the World Cup opening game between Mexico and South Africa on a big screen. The area surrounding the Zócalo is currently cordoned off by metre-high metal fences.