Relatives of Disappeared Protest in Mexico City on World Cup Eve

Hundreds of relatives of disappeared individuals gathered near the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday night, hours before the opening match of the 2026 North American World Cup. The demonstration, which included nearly a million people according to some estimates, highlighted the ongoing crisis of disappearances in Mexico as the global football event commenced.

Protesters voiced anger and frustration, directing criticism at President Claudia Sheinbaum. María de Jesús Soria Aguayo, searching for her son who vanished a decade ago in Veracruz state, told AFP that the president "only cares about her football" and "hasn't done anything" about the wave of disappearances.

Mexico City police established a security cordon, keeping the demonstrators approximately a kilometer away from the stadium's entrances. While tensions occasionally flared, no direct confrontations occurred. Some young protesters arranged cempasúchil flowers, traditionally used for Day of the Dead offerings, into a cross on the pavement, a poignant symbol amidst the festive atmosphere surrounding the World Cup.

The protest occurred amid a period of sustained social unrest in Mexico, including recent demonstrations by teachers demanding better labor conditions. Authorities stated they would permit peaceful protests but would enforce a one-mile perimeter around the Azteca Stadium, restricting access to ticket holders for the opening match. Some demonstrators indicated they might remain to camp near the venue.

“

She only cares about her football, and it's disappearance after disappearance and she hasn't done anything.