MEXICO CITY: A protest blocked an avenue resulting in Mexico Metropolis’s Azteca Stadium for hours on Tuesday, simply days earlier than the 2026 World Cup kicks off on the venue.
As soccer followers flood into the event, co-hosted by america and Canada, Mexico is grappling with chaotic instructor protests in its capital.
Hundreds took half in Tuesday’s protest, which was led by a breakaway group of the CNTE lecturers union following every week of demonstrations that President Claudia Sheinbaum has referred to as a “provocation.”
“As if to say, ‘Take a look at how unhealthy the scenario is in Mexico,'” she advised a press convention.
A police blockade prevented the demonstrators from reaching the Azteca Stadium, which is able to host the World Cup opening match on Thursday.
With 1000’s of officers deployed and concrete limitations arrange across the venue, protesters rallied on the road for round three hours earlier than dispersing.
Mexico Metropolis’s safety chief Pablo Vazquez mentioned in an announcement that the motion had been peaceable.
Sheinbaum mentioned earlier that the opening match was “assured,” though the left-leaning chief once more dominated out utilizing police to repress the demonstrations.
Her authorities has favored dialogue with the protesting lecturers, however to no avail.
“We’ll proceed our battle,” mentioned protester Austreberto Flores.
The CNTE lecturers union has been on strike since final week to demand a wage elevate and the reversal of a pension regulation — which the federal government considers unfeasible.
The lecturers have additionally arrange camp close to the World Cup fan zone in Mexico Metropolis’s Zocalo sq..
On June 1, police dispersed protesters within the space with rubber bullets and teargas.
“They need to make it look like there’s mass social turmoil in Mexico, and that is not true,” Sheinbaum has mentioned of the protests.
The lecturers have referred to as for demonstrations on Thursday that can even embrace households of “disappeared” folks, who’re alleged to have been killed or kidnapped by Mexican authorities or prison gangs.
The 2026 version of the world’s largest soccer extravaganza is probably the most logistically complicated ever staged.
An enormous international TV viewers is about to tune in to the opening ceremony and match pitting Mexico in opposition to South Africa.
Mexico remains to be dashing to finish renovations at subway stations and at its essential airport forward of the event.
