Excitement inside, protests outside mark the start of the World Cup in Mexico City

The Mexico City Stadium exploded in euphoria when Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday.

With this match, Mexico City Stadium, also known locally as Estadio Azteca, became the first stadium to host three World Cups: 1970, 1986 and 2026.

Despite the glorious victory of Mexico’s National Team, or “El Tri,” before the game even began, local opposition to the festivities was also felt due to reported economic instability and ongoing forced disappearances nationwide as Mexico continues its battle against organized crime. 

Fans en route encountered main streets and avenues leading to the stadium blocked off to traffic. Police officers diverted vehicles onto surrounding streets, while fans had to walk several miles to reach the stadium.

About two miles from the stadium, Calzada de Tlalpan — a major avenue running through historic downtown connecting northern and southern parts of the city — was filled with protesters. Some of them protested for better benefits for educators, while others demanded that the government find their missing loved ones.

One of them said her family member, Ximena Lopez Rosales, disappeared in 2025. She said it was frustrating to know the country is celebrating while they need help. “Some people are going to say [she] left voluntarily, but that's not true,” the woman said. “If we don't do anything, the government won't do anything.”

Another woman called World Cup goers “traitors” and condemned FIFA for giving U.S. President Donald Trump the FIFA Peace Prize. She called him a “pederast” who “hasn't stopped bombarding countries.”

While some fans empathized with the protestors, others ignored their petitions and quickly followed their path to the stadium. 

The area outside the Azteca was a sea of green shirts. Fans wore sombreros, penachos, luchador masks and many other statement pieces honoring Mexico.

Some fans wearing penachos said they were extremely excited to be there. They arrived from the nearby municipality Azcapotzalco.

“We won the tickets,” said one of them. “Today we win 3-0,” added the other one.  

While the ambiance inside the stadium was joyful and exciting, social media videos show protestors clashing with police officers outside one of the main entrances.  

The event inside went smoothly. Stadium data showed 80,824 people were present.

After the historic win of Mexico 2-0 against Africa, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated El Tri via social media. The president watched the game from the Hermanos Galeana Sports Center in the municipality of Gustavo A. Madero with hundreds of constituents. 

Prior to the game she said in a press conference that order would prevail amidst the festive sports atmosphere, acknowledging the performance of federal and Mexico City authorities:

“The Kukulcán strategy has long ensured security in stadiums generally. And it is working very well; we are a team, working together—[Wednesday], there were practically no acts of violence.”

Other games

On Thursday evening, South Korea beat Czechia 2-1; both are in group A with Mexico and South Africa.

On Friday, the other host countries, the U.S. and Canada, will celebrate their opening ceremonies in Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and Toronto’s BMO Field, respectively.

Canada will have its opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina at noon. Then at 6 p.m., the U.S. will open its first match against Paraguay.

Next Thursday, Mexico will play against South Korea at 6 pm.