Teachers block Azteca Stadium access 48 hours before World Cup opener in Mexico City
Thousands of striking teachers blocked the main avenue to Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, just two days before the venue hosts the 2026 World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
The blockade
Thousands of demonstrators from a dissident faction of the CNTE teachers' union blocked the Calzada de Tlalpan, the main access road to the Azteca Stadium, on Tuesday. The protest comes 48 hours before the stadium hosts the opening ceremony and first match of the 2026 men's World Cup between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday, 11 June. Authorities deployed thousands of police officers, who installed concrete barriers and placed a trailer across the road to prevent the march from reaching the stadium.
We intend to reach the stadium. The government has given some responses, but they don't help, they don't satisfy.
Mexico City's government secretary, César Cravioto, arrived at the scene to dialogue with the mobilised teachers, asking them to conduct their actions peacefully and to minimise disruption to mobility and daily activities.
The strikers' demands
The CNTE dissident group has been on strike since last week, demanding a salary increase and the repeal of a pension law. The government considers these demands unfeasible. As a pressure tactic, the teachers have been blocking streets daily and erected barricades in the capital. They also toppled a set of World Cup-themed statues on the busy Paseo de la Reforma. A protest camp has been set up a few blocks from the Zócalo central square, where the capital's main fan fest will be located.
We're going to continue our struggle.
Sheinbaum's response
President Claudia Sheinbaum described the protests as a "provocation" during her daily press conference on Tuesday. She suggested the demonstrators wanted to project an image of social turmoil. She insisted the opening match was "guaranteed" and that authorities would not fall into any provocation. Sheinbaum has ruled out using police to repress the demonstrations and said her government favours dialogue, though talks have so far failed.
As if to say, 'Look at how bad the situation is in Mexico.'
Sheinbaum confirmed she would not attend the opening ceremony at the Azteca Stadium and was considering whether to visit the fan zone near the presidential palace, saying she would monitor how the situation with the teachers evolves.
Escalation and previous clashes
The CNTE has called for a mass demonstration on Thursday, the day of the opening match. Families of people who were abducted by criminal gangs and remain disappeared also plan to take to the streets that day. On 1 June, police dispersed a teachers' demonstration near the Zócalo fan zone using tear gas and rubber bullets.
- Police disperse teachers' demonstration near Zócalo fan zone with tear gas and rubber bullets.
- CNTE dissident group begins strike, demanding salary increase and pension law repeal.
- Thousands block Calzada de Tlalpan, the main access to Azteca Stadium; Sheinbaum calls protests a 'provocation'.
- World Cup opening match: Mexico vs South Africa at Azteca Stadium. CNTE calls mass demonstration.
Tournament context
The 2026 men's World Cup is co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada and runs from 11 June to 19 July. With 48 national teams and 104 matches, it is the largest sporting event ever staged. This is the third time Mexico has hosted a World Cup.
