The police made the rioters back down with tear gas.
Protesters clashed with police during the World Cup opening match outside the Azteca Stadium. Fred Ramos
Violence overshadowed the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, says Daily Mail. Hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police outside Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium.
According to British media, the protesters tried to enter the stadium, threw torches and stones at the police and broke a truck parked nearby. The police made the rioters back down with tear gas.
Among the demonstrators were reportedly relatives of victims of Mexico’s drug war. In addition, members of the teachers’ union and farmers’ organizations, as well as workers in the transportation, health care and federal judiciary, demonstrated.
The violence overshadowed the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Quetzal Nicte-Ha
Some of the demonstrators were masked. Quetzal Nicte-Ha
According to Mexican authorities, there were two groups of approximately 800 protesters. Some of the demonstrators were masked. About 300 police officers and a mounted police unit were sent to the scene.
A Daily Mail reporter reported seeing a barely conscious female police officer being led away from the demonstration with a bleeding head wound.
The World Cup stadium was protected by a large number of policemen. Fred Ramos