Mexico City has erupted in celebration as the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, but the festivities are shadowed by protests.
Families of the disappeared have covered landmarks with portraits of missing loved ones, reminding visitors of Mexico’s crisis of more than 133,000 people gone. Campaigners hope the global spotlight will force attention on what the UN calls “a human tragedy of enormous proportions.”
Striking teachers also marched through the capital, demanding better pay and pensions, chanting in English to reach international audiences.
Many residents say tickets are unaffordable, planning instead to watch matches in bars and fan zones. Former Mexico international Joaquin Beltran urged calm, hoping the tournament shows “a very good face to the world.”
Mexico City, hosting the World Cup for the third time, now balances football fever with voices demanding justice and fairness. The question remains whether those voices will still be heard once the final whistle blows.
