Thousands of protesters march towards the World Cup stadium in Mexico; police install barriers

Teachers march towards the Mexico City Stadium during a protest held before the World Cup, in Mexico City, on June 9, 2026.
Reuters/Luis Cortes
Thousands of protesters blocked an avenue leading to the Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City, this Tuesday (9), in another day of protests just 48 hours before the start of the 2026 World Cup, according to the agency from AFP news.
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The protest was organized by a dissident group from the teachers' union, the CNTE, which has been leading chaotic demonstrations in the Mexican capital since last week.
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The Azteca Stadium will host the opening ceremony of the World Cup on Thursday (11), with the match between Mexico and South Africa South.
Earlier, president Claudia Sheinbaum assured that the ceremony would take place as planned and denounced a "provocation" by the union.
The authorities also mobilized thousands of agents and installed concrete barriers a kilometer from the stadium to block the march, which had not yet reached the site.
"We intend to reach the stadium", said Ángel Villalobos, one of the teachers participating in the protest. "The government has given some responses, but they are neither favorable nor satisfactory," he noted.
"We will continue our fight here," said Austreberto Flores, who was also taking part in the demonstration.
Teachers from Mexico protest ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Mexico City, Mexico, on June 9, 2026.
REUTERS/Luis Cortes
Police officers remain in front of the Azteca Stadium. The opening match of the 2026 World Cup will be held in Mexico City on June 11.
Tom Weller/dpa via Reuters Connect
Police create a barrier on a sidewalk near the Mexico City Stadium, while teachers march towards the venue on June 9, 2026.
REUTERS/Luis Cortes.
Protesters march towards the World Cup stadium in Mexico.
REUTERS/Luis Cortes
Police set up barriers during protesters' march near the World Cup stadium in Mexico.
REUTERS/Luis Cortes

Source: G1