Few hours to World Cup’s kickoff, protesters block roads to stadium hosting opening game

A large-scale protest has erupted outside Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a few hours before the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

On Thursday, thousands of demonstrators gathered around key access routes to the stadium, which will host the tournament’s curtain-raiser between Mexico and South Africa.

The protests, which brought together a mix of civil society groups, labour activists, student organisations and relatives of missing persons, were sparked by social and political issues that have simmered beneath the surface of preparations for football’s biggest event.

The demonstration forced the authorities to deploy additional security personnel and traffic management measures as fans attempted to reach the World Cup venue.

Several protest leaders told local media that they deliberately chose the World Cup opener to maximise international attention for their causes.

World Cup organisers insisted the match would proceed as scheduled, but the demonstrations posed significant logistical challenges.

To mitigate that, security officials established expanded perimeters around Estadio Azteca and urged supporters to arrive early as authorities worked to keep entrances accessible.

In recent years, Mexico has continued to grapple with security concerns, organised crime-related violence, and the long-running crisis of missing persons.

Mexico is co-hosting the World Cup with the US and Canada. El Tri will face South Africa in the tournament’s opener, scheduled for 8 pm Nigerian time.

Before the match, Burna Boy is expected to join Shakira on stage to perform Dai Dai, one of the soundtracks for the World Cup, during the opening ceremony. (TheCable)