Mexico launches campaign against homophobic chants ahead of 2026 World Cup

Mexico is taking a proactive stance to eradicate homophobic chants from its football stadiums ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which it will co-host. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has launched an innovative campaign, 'La ola sí, el grito no' ('Yes to the wave, no to the chant'), aiming to replace the offensive 'eeeeeh, puto' slur with the universally recognized stadium 'wave.'

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This campaign aims to raise fan awareness about the importance of supporting the Mexican National Team with the wave and not with discriminatory chants that FIFA sanctions.

This initiative taps into a powerful symbol of Mexican football culture: the wave, which became a global phenomenon during the 1986 World Cup hosted by Mexico. By reviving this communal cheer, the FMF seeks to channel fan energy into a positive, inclusive form of support for the national team. The campaign features prominent figures from the 1986 World Cup, including Hugo Sánchez and Javier Aguirre, lending their star power to raise awareness and encourage fan participation.

The need for such a campaign is underscored by FIFA's past actions. The international governing body has repeatedly fined the FMF due to the homophobic chant, which typically occurs when opposing goalkeepers take goal kicks. This discriminatory expression has marred Mexican football for years, dating back to at least 2004 and drawing significant international attention during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The fines, amounting to thousands of Swiss francs, highlight the seriousness with which FIFA views such offenses.

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The discriminatory chant of 'eeeeeh, puto' that Mexican fans launch every time the opposing goalkeeper clears the ball began to be heard in official Tri matches since the 2004 pre-Olympic tournament.

From our perspective in Panama, this campaign is a commendable effort by Mexico to address a persistent issue. It's not just about avoiding FIFA sanctions; it's about fostering a more welcoming and respectful environment for all fans, especially as Mexico prepares to host a global event. The FMF's multi-phase approach, utilizing digital platforms and integrating the message into pre-tournament matches, demonstrates a strategic commitment. Furthermore, the established protocol of stopping matches for discriminatory chants shows a serious intent to enforce change, setting a standard that other nations might consider.

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This homophobic expression was present at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and resulted in FIFA fining the FMF with 10,000 Swiss francs (about $10,000 at the time) after the match against Germany in Russia 2018.