Scuffles at Mexico's World Cup Fan Zone as Thousands Jostle for Entry
Authorities said the Zócalo fan zone was full as thousands tried to enter and police faced scuffles before Mexico’s opening World Cup match.
- Thousands of football fans attempted to force their way into Mexico City's official World Cup fan zone at Zocala on Thursday, creating chaotic scenes shortly before the Mexico-South Africa Group A match.
- Metal barriers erected in recent days to prevent protesters demanding pay rises from reaching the area significantly hampered access to the Zocala plaza.
- Some fans threw water bottles as officials shouted through megaphones to control access; Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old fan, said "It's crazy" and criticized poor organization.
- The local government announced on social media the site was "full" and suggested fans relocate, while President Claudia Sheinbaum cast doubt on her attendance amid ongoing protests.
- This match marks the opening Group A game of the 2026 World Cup tournament, with organizers broadcasting the encounter between Mexico and South Africa at Azteca Stadium.
22 Articles
22 Articles
From the Zócalo to Coyoacán, CDMX's 18 Fan Fests roar as El Tri wins World Cup debut
Cheers cascaded across all 16 Mexico City boroughs and echoed off buildings surrounding neighborhood parks as El Tri cruised to a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the Inaugural Match of the 2026 World Cup. Capitalinos — including President Claudia Sheinbaum and Mayor Clara Brugada — crowded into the 18 free Fan Fest sites across the city to watch Javier Aguirre’s team kick off the tournament, erupting in glee just nine minutes into the match wh…
Video. Mexico's President Sheinbaum joins fans as World Cup gets underway
Video. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum joined thousands of supporters at a fan zone in Mexico City's Zocalo Square as Mexico took on South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Fans packed the square to cheer on the host nation.
Before the World Cup opening, chaotic scenes have occurred in Mexico City. Thousands of fans tried to push themselves into the official fan zone.
Logistical failures and the fear of popular sectors to be excluded caused a massive "portazo" in the Fan Fest del Zócalo of Mexico City during the opening of the World Cup, showing how the commercial model of football neglects public spaces.
Radio France Internationale
Scuffles at Mexico's World Cup fan zone as thousands jostle for entry
Mexico City. Thousands of fans were looking to enter the ‘Fan Fest’ pushes in Plaza del Zócalo, Mexico City, still surrounded by fences due to recent protests that affect the flow of access to see the opening of the 2026 World Cup. “Stop fanning, there are children, they look like animals!” said a capital official with a megaphone while trying to order the crowd, eager to see the inaugural Mexico-South Africa party on giant screens, a AFP journa…
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