2026 World Cup: Mexico risks FIFA sanctions over fans’ anti-gay chant
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The one-word slur, commonly shouted when an opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick, has gone viral at past World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Despite campaigns and education programs by the Mexican Football Federation, fans have repeatedly defied requests to stop.
Mexican football fans could face sanctions for continuing to use the controversial anti-gay chant “puto” during the FIFA 2026 World Cup, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled.
The one-word slur, commonly shouted when an opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick, has gone viral at past World Cups in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
Despite campaigns and education programs by the Mexican Football Federation, fans have repeatedly defied requests to stop.
The CAS ruling, delivered ahead of Mexico’s opening match against South Africa on June 11 at Azteca Stadium, upheld FIFA fines totaling 140,000 Swiss francs (about $178,000) against the federation. CAS lifted a prior sanction that would have closed part of a stadium during World Cup games.
Judges noted that while the Mexican federation has implemented measures since 2015 to discourage the chant, the conduct of fans remains “collective and widespread,” not isolated incidents.
In response, the federation launched the campaign “La Ola Sí, El Grito No” using members of Mexico’s 1986 World Cup team to encourage fans to cheer with the wave instead of discriminatory chants.
Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, making it the first country to host the tournament three times, having previously hosted in 1970 and 1986. Group-stage games in Mexico include matches against South Korea in Guadalajara and the Czech Republic at Azteca.
FIFA anti-discrimination monitors will oversee all 104 World Cup matches across the three host nations, seeking to curb the use of offensive chants.
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