‘The ball won’t roll’: Mexico’s striking teachers threaten to disrupt World Cup days before kick-off

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‘The ball won’t roll’: Mexico’s striking teachers threaten to disrupt World Cup days before kick-off

 

Teachers associated with the CNTE union are calling for salary raises and the reversal of pension laws

 

By Oscar Lopez in Mexico City – The Guardian -Tue 2 Jun 2026

 

Striking teachers wreaked havoc on Tuesday in downtown Mexico City, a few days before the city hosts the first match of the World Cup, with protesters pulling down giant mannequins of football players, ripping off their clothes and setting them on fire on the city’s main Paseo de la Reforma.

 

They also set soccer balls alight and blocked main roads across the capital.

 

The teachers, associated with the CNTE union, are calling for salary increases and the reversal of pension laws. They have threatened to protest during the World Cup unless a solution is reached.

 

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, was set to meet with a top Spanish official on Tuesday but with the teachers blocking access to the Zócalo and National Palace, the meeting had to take place on Zoom, La Jornada reported.

 

The chaos comes a day after the striking teachers were teargassed and reportedly shot with rubber bullets by riot police as they marched toward Mexico City’s historic Zócalo plaza, just days before the square is expected to host the 2026 World Cup “Fan Fest”

 

Five protesters were injured in the melee, including one teacher who lost an eye, according to union leadership. Mexico City authorities have denied using rubber bullets or teargas.

 

On Tuesday, protesters gathered outside the interior ministry to denounce the violence, chanting “If there is no solution, the ball won’t roll”, in reference to the upcoming World Cup. They also criticised authorities for blocking access to the Zócalo.

 

“This shows that the spaces of the people can be privatised at the whim and for the benefit of the large corporations behind this World Cup, minimising the fight for workers’ rights,” said Filiberto Frausto, one of the union leaders.

 

Full at:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/03/mexico-teachers-strike-world-cup