Behind World Cup glamour, Mexico battles protests

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off in grand style at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday, with amazing performances, fireworks, and a spectacle befitting the world’s most-watched sporting event.

But beyond the stadium lights, the city of Mexico witnessed a different reality: protests, frustration over high ticket prices, and calls for social justice.

Inside the stadium, fans cheered as Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy performed the tournament’s official song Dai Dai.

The opening ceremony also featured a string of global acts, including J Balvin, Belinda, Los Ángeles Azules, Danny Ocean, and Maná, in a celebration of music, dance, and football culture. Green, white, and red fireworks lit up the sky, echoing Mexico’s national colors.

Yet outside the stadium, thousands of Mexicans took to the streets in protest. Demonstrators raised concerns about soaring ticket prices, city planning for tourists over residents, and lingering social grievances, including education funding, public safety, and housing inequality. Teachers’ unions, human rights groups, and community activists all voiced criticism, highlighting the contrast between the World Cup’s global spectacle and local struggles.

“We are not against the World Cup… we are against that they invest so many millions of pesos in this while we are left in oblivion,” a protester told Reuters.

FIFA officials and local authorities maintained tight security around the stadium and key public areas, ensuring that protests remained largely peaceful. Traffic disruptions, however, caused significant delays, with fans and residents reporting hours-long jams across the city.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the tournament is “a moment the world shares,” emphasizing unity through music, culture, and sport. But in Mexico City, the opening day illustrated the tension between global celebration and local realities, showing that while football unites millions, it does not erase pressing social challenges.

The 2026 World Cup will continue across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with more matches, performances, and ceremonies. Meanwhile, city authorities are expected to negotiate with protest groups and local communities to address lingering concerns about the tournament’s social impact.