Teachers Protest Block Access to World Cup Stadium in Mexico

Thousands of teachers blocked a road leading to Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on Tuesday. This happened just days before the 2026 World Cup begins at the venue.

As football fans arrive in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the tournament, Mexico is facing teacher protests in its capital city.

Tuesday’s protest was led by a group from the CNTE teachers union. This comes after a week of demonstrations that President Claudia Sheinbaum called a “provocation.”

Sheinbaum said at a press conference, “As if to say, ‘Look at how bad the situation is in Mexico.'”

The Azteca Stadium is set to host the World Cup’s first game on Thursday. Mexico will face South Africa, and millions of viewers will watch the opening ceremony and the match.

Authorities have sent thousands of officers and set up concrete barriers around the stadium to prevent protests.

Demonstrator Angel Villalobos told AFP, “We intend to reach the stadium. The government has given some responses, but they don’t help, they don’t satisfy.”

Sheinbaum earlier assured that the opening match was “guaranteed.” However, she ruled out using police to suppress the protests.

Her government prefers to talk with the protesting teachers, but this has not worked.

Another protester, Austreberto Flores, said, “We’re going to continue our struggle,” as they aimed to block access to the Azteca Stadium.

The CNTE teachers union has been on strike since last week. They are demanding a salary increase and want a pension law reversed, which the government thinks is not possible.

The teachers have also set up camp near the World Cup fan zone in Mexico City’s Zocalo square.

On June 1, police used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse protesters in the area.

Sheinbaum commented on the protests, saying, “They want to make it seem like there is mass social turmoil in Mexico, and that’s not true.”

The teachers are planning demonstrations on Thursday. Their protests will also include families of people who have gone missing, allegedly due to Mexican authorities or criminal gangs.

The 2026 World Cup is the most complicated ever to organize. Mexico is still working to finish renovations at subway stations and its main airport before the tournament.