Teachers Topple World Cup Statues in Mexico City, Threaten Bigger Protests Ahead of Tournament

Tensions are rising ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after protesting teachers in Mexico City pulled down giant football-themed statues and threatened to escalate demonstrations if the government fails to address their labour demands.

Members of the dissident faction of Mexico’s teachers’ union, the CNTE, staged the protest on Tuesday along the iconic Paseo de la Reforma, one of the capital’s most prominent boulevards.

The protesters used ropes to topple three five-metre-tall plastic statues representing football players from different countries. After bringing down the structures, they stripped off the mannequins’ uniforms and set them ablaze.

Graffiti scrawled across one of the statues read, “Long live the CNTE,” while another message warned, “If there isn’t a solution, the ball won’t roll.”

The demonstration comes amid growing tensions between the union and the government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, with the teachers threatening mass protests during the opening of the FIFA World Cup on June 11.

The CNTE is demanding a 100 per cent salary increase and has rejected a nine per cent pay raise previously negotiated between the government and the official leadership of the teachers’ union. The group is also protesting pension reforms it says undermine workers’ rights.

The latest action follows clashes on Monday when police dispersed a separate CNTE march near the historic Zocalo using tear gas and sound grenades.

The Zocalo is expected to host a major World Cup Fan Fest during the tournament, and authorities continued reinforcing security around the area on Tuesday with metal barricades.

Tuesday’s protest caused significant traffic disruptions across the capital as demonstrators blocked key roads and intersections.

While statues representing Belgium, France, and Spain were brought down, the mannequin dressed in Mexico’s national team jersey remained untouched.

Despite the destruction, police officers did not intervene during the protest.

One of the demonstrators, 44-year-old teacher Juan Pablo de la Cruz, defended the action, arguing that the government had failed to address educators’ grievances.

“If Sheinbaum calls toppling some statues a crime, what would she call the act of taking away our rights? We need to be more firm,” he said.

President Sheinbaum later described the demonstration as peaceful and reiterated her administration’s willingness to continue discussions with the union.

In a statement, the government called for the resumption of dialogue in an effort to resolve the dispute before tensions escalate further.

Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, with millions of football fans expected to attend events across the three nations.

The latest unrest raises concerns about potential disruptions to World Cup activities as labour disputes continue to unfold just days before the global tournament kicks off.