Protests in Mexico City threaten World Cup fan festival opening

Escalating protests in Mexico City threatened to disrupt the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with demonstrators blocking access to the central plaza set to host the country’s main free fan festival. President Claudia Sheinbaum said it was unclear whether the event could proceed as planned Thursday night. More than 1,000 relatives of missing people marched toward the stadium for the opening match carrying candles and photos of loved ones, while teachers from the National Coordination of Education Workers maintained a protest camp near the festival site. The tensions have sharpened criticism that authorities are prioritizing visitors and image-making over security and social needs as Mexico opens the tournament it is co-hosting with the United States and Canada.