A major protest by teachers in Mexico City disrupted access to Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, just days before the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but authorities have assured fans that the tournament will proceed as planned.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered along a key route leading to the stadium, temporarily blocking access to the iconic venue, which is set to host the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday.
The protest was organised by a breakaway faction of the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE), which has been staging demonstrations across the Mexican capital for more than a week.
The action comes as Mexico, which is co-hosting the tournament alongside the United States and Canada, prepares to welcome thousands of football supporters from around the world.
Security forces prevented protesters from reaching the stadium itself, establishing police cordons and deploying thousands of officers around the venue. Concrete barriers were also erected as part of heightened security measures ahead of the opening ceremony.
After occupying the area for approximately three hours, demonstrators dispersed without major incidents.
Mexico City Security Chief Pablo Vázquez described the protest as peaceful, while President Claudia Sheinbaum insisted that the World Cup opener would proceed without disruption.
"The opening match is guaranteed," Sheinbaum said, while reiterating that her government would not use force to suppress the demonstrations.
The president has previously described the ongoing protests as a "provocation" intended to create the impression of widespread instability in the country.
The CNTE teachers' union has been on strike since last week, demanding salary increases and the repeal of a pension law that the government says it cannot afford to reverse.
Despite ongoing negotiations, union members have vowed to continue their campaign.
"We're going to continue our struggle," protester Austreberto Flores said during Tuesday's demonstration.
Teachers have also established a protest camp near the World Cup fan zone in Mexico City's historic Zócalo Square. Tensions escalated earlier this month when police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators in the area.
The union has announced further protests for Thursday, which are expected to include relatives of Mexico's so-called "disappeared" persons individuals believed to have been abducted or killed by criminal groups or state actors.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest and most complex edition of the tournament ever staged, with matches taking place across three countries.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, Mexican authorities are also racing to complete infrastructure upgrades, including renovations at several subway stations and the capital's main international airport, before the arrival of the global spotlight.
Despite the ongoing demonstrations, officials remain confident that security measures and contingency plans will ensure the successful hosting of the tournament's opening events at Azteca Stadium.