sports
‘Not in our best moment’: strikes and tension temper World Cup buzz in Mexico City
An escalating teachers’ strike and concerns around public perception have left locals with complicated feelings on the eve of the tournament’s opener
TL;DR
- Mexico City's Zócalo is the site of a fan festival for the 2026 World Cup but is currently occupied by striking teachers from the CNTE.
- The CNTE is protesting for better wages and the reinstatement of a state-guaranteed pension system, leading to clashes with police.
- The protests and other grievances from various worker groups have tempered public excitement for the World Cup.
- The Mexican government has invested approximately $3 billion in infrastructure for the tournament, expecting five million international visitors.
- Public opinion is divided, with some supporting the protests and others, including business owners, concerned about the negative impact on the city and the country's image.
- Other groups, including transport workers and farmers, are also using the World Cup spotlight to voice their concerns.