Global Intelligence Summary

Teachers associated with the union Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) have continued their nationwide strike action and protests across much of Mexico. On 13 June, CNTE stated that demonstrations and roadblocks would continue after negotiations with the federal government failed to produce concessions. CNTE’s key demands include the repeal of pension reforms, salary increases, and changes to teachers’ employment conditions.

On 11 June, striking teachers gathered near Estadio Azteca and marched towards the stadium in an attempt to block access to the venue ahead of Mexico’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony. The police then established a security zone near the stadium, made accessible only to those holding a valid World Cup ticket. However, protesters repeatedly attempted to break through the police cordon. Additional protests have been staged in central parts of Mexico City, resulting in major disruption.

Coordinated protests were also staged, including in Chiapas, where CNTE members occupied a Petróleos Mexicanos facility in Tuxtla Gutiérrez and demonstrated outside Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport. In Guerrero, protesters blocked a roundabout in Acapulco, while in Morelos, clashes were reported between protest groups in Cuernavaca. Smaller disruptive actions were also in multiple other locations. Other groups protesting missing persons and violence against women also held demonstrations across Mexico to coincide with the tournament.

Solace Global Assessment: 

CNTE and additional protest movements are highly likely to continue to leverage the 2026 FIFA World Cup to gain maximum visibility and pressure the federal government into concessions. While Mexico isn’t scheduled to host any of the tournament’s quarterfinals or later stages, protest activity is likely to increase during the final matches of the group stages and on 5July, when Mexico City will host one of the round of 16 matches. Protest activity is also likely to increase around Mexico fixtures, with the domestic audience likely to be highest.

There is a realistic possibility that the federal government’s refusal to concede to CNTE will result in an escalation of protest tactics, with potential courses of action including increased roadblocks, tollbooth occupations, airport access disruption, and increased attempts to deny access to World Cup venues and fan zones. This is likely to increase the risk of violent clashes with the security forces and transport disruption in Mexico.

As the tournament progresses and global media attention increases, there is also a realistic possibility that other protest movements in Mexico, the US, and Canada will seek to capitalise on the World Cup’s visibility to amplify their messaging and increase pressure on their respective governments. In Los Angeles, anti-Iranian regime protests involved hundreds of demonstrators outside the stadium, with further protests likely staged to coincide with Iran’s other matches. In Canada, pro-Palestinian protests were held ahead of Canada’s opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Several other protest movements across North America have threatened to disrupt the World Cup relating to a broad spectrum of issues, including immigration enforcement, Palestinian rights, conflict, housing affordability, the cost of hosting the tournament, human rights, climate change, Indigenous rights, labour rights, and gender-based violence.