SOCCER: Mexico opens World Cup with passion, parties and protests

MEXICO CITY — Mexico City marked the opening of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday with a ceremony at the iconic Azteca Stadium celebrating pre-Hispanic culture, as excitement inside the venue contrasted with demonstrations across the capital ahead of the tournament’s first match between Mexico and South Africa.

Inside the stadium, fans dressed in mariachi-inspired outfits filled the stands in a wave of green support. Performances by Shakira and Burna Boy highlighted the opening celebration, while fireworks lit up the sky and energized the packed crowd.

Alejandro Garcia, 50, wearing a sombrero and carrying a replica trophy, said he was proud to see Mexico host the World Cup once again. He recalled watching the 1986 tournament as a child and called the Azteca a special place for the country.

“This is our temple,” he said outside the stadium. He added that he believed the tournament would be a success despite the ongoing protests in the city.

Outside the celebratory atmosphere, Mexico City remained divided. The buildup to the tournament, which Mexico is co-hosting with the United States and Canada, has been marked by protests from various groups, including teachers and families of missing persons from the country’s ongoing drug war.

Authorities said multiple demonstrations were planned on match day, highlighting tensions between the global sporting event and local social issues. While parts of the city were prepared for tourists with renovated infrastructure, transport upgrades, and stadium improvements, other areas were lined with barricades as businesses sought to protect themselves along major routes.

Several miles from the stadium, thousands of teachers marched toward the venue demanding better pay and improved working conditions. Avelina Cruz Miguel, an elementary school teacher from Oaxaca with 22 years of experience, said the World Cup provided an opportunity to bring attention to their concerns on an international stage.

Teachers had also maintained a protest camp in Mexico City’s central square in the days leading up to the tournament, prompting authorities to restrict access to parts of the area. Despite concerns, officials later confirmed that the fan zone remained open for supporters.

In the Zócalo, organizers reported that more than 50,000 fans gathered to watch the match on large screens. Many locals attended there instead of the stadium due to high ticket prices, which some said placed the event out of reach for ordinary residents.

Some residents criticized the cost of attending matches, with ticket prices reportedly reaching several thousand dollars on the secondary market. FIFA has defended its pricing, saying it is consistent with other major global sporting events.

Jonathan Cordoba, 33, who waited in line to enter the stadium, said the prices were excessive but added that attending the opening match was still worth it for fans.

“It’s the passion,” he said. -Reporting by Stephen Eisenhammer, Emily Green, Cassandra Garrison and Sarah Morland in Mexico CityEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters