A local newspaper commented that this was not how Mexico was supposed to welcome its third World Cup in history, after making a big impact in the 1970 and 1986 tournaments. The matches were played under the scorching midday sun to accommodate broadcast schedules on European television networks. A tropical storm named Boris was also approaching southwestern Mexico, affecting the weather in Mexico City to some extent. This could also be considered ideal conditions for the opening match of a historic World Cup, taking place on an unprecedentedly large territory, with the most teams, the longest duration, and the most matches.
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Police are everywhere in Mexico City, especially in the city center, to ensure maximum security for the 2026 World Cup. |
However, unlike the previous two World Cups, Mexico and co-host Canada played only a supporting role in this major tournament. They and Canada each hosted only 13 matches, while the United States, with 11 stadiums, took the biggest share, hosting 78 matches, including the final. Were Mexicans happy about this? Of course not, and the excitement of hosting the tournament was quickly overshadowed by numerous internal national issues. Security became a major concern, with a heavy police presence in the Zocalo area, the city center, where around 100,000 people were expected to gather for the opening of the Fan Festival, which was scheduled to remain open until the end of the World Cup.
The reason for this arrangement is not only the safety of the fans but also because several disgruntled groups have announced they will stage protests against the government . These include teachers, judges, animal rights activists, and the families of approximately 130,000 people who have gone missing in connection with drug trafficking gangs. They criticize the government for prioritizing the World Cup over addressing existing social issues, such as teachers' low salaries, while hosting the World Cup has increased the cost of living in the country. Tense clashes between protesters and police occurred last week in downtown Mexico City.
Earlier this week, police erected large steel barriers to separate the Fan Festival area from the rest of downtown, preventing protesters from trying to get inside. Hundreds of teachers' tents were set up haphazardly in the streets near the Fan Festival, a reminder that the World Cup ball has started rolling, but Mexico's problems remain, painful and likely to flare up again during the tournament. A few days ago, the main road leading to the Azteca Stadium was even blocked when thousands of teachers flocked there to protest, but were stopped by police. The Mexican government insists it will resolve the crisis through dialogue, but so far, things remain frozen.
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| The tents set up by protesting teachers are occupying a large area in the heart of Mexico City. |
But security isn't just about protecting the matches in Mexico during the World Cup. A Mexican told me that the government is genuinely concerned about a potential wave of violence during the tournament, due to the ongoing fierce conflict between the military and police forces and drug trafficking gangs... But whatever happens, the ball must roll, and the world will be watching Mexico for this World Cup. This country of 132 million people became the first nation in the world to host the biggest football tournament on the planet three times, and the world's expectations are high, after Mexico successfully hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cups. Those were historic tournaments, with unforgettable matches and the brilliance of legends like Pele and Diego Maradona. Will a legend be born in Mexico for this World Cup?
From a professional standpoint, the question is difficult to answer, given the limited number of matches and the lack of significant ones. However, from an organizational perspective, Mexico deserves praise for holding this World Cup in a peaceful atmosphere, especially considering the numerous issues they face.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/ky-world-cup-thach-thuc-cua-mexico-1043840
