‘Not in our best moment’: strikes and tension temper World Cup buzz in Mexico City

Key Points:

• Mexico City's historic Zócalo, a major public square and fan festival site for the 2026 World Cup, is currently a base for striking teachers demanding better wages and pension reforms, leading to violent clashes with police.
• The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) union opposes pension changes, threatening nationwide mobilizations, while President Claudia Sheinbaum maintains the reforms are necessary to avoid crippling government expenses.
• Protests have disrupted traffic near the Estadio Azteca and raised concerns about potential disruptions during the World Cup opener, with Sheinbaum urging non-violence and labeling protest threats as provocations.
• Other groups, including transport workers, farmers, and sex workers, are also leveraging the World Cup spotlight to highlight grievances, causing mixed public reactions and concerns about Mexico's international image.
• Despite tensions, enthusiasm for the World Cup remains visible throughout Mexico City, with widespread support for the national team and extensive tournament-related promotions, though some fans acknowledge the country is facing challenging times.