The opening day of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City ended with 19 people detained and 11 police officers injured amid protests near Estadio Ciudad de México.
Authorities from the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana reported on Friday that four people were detained before Thursday’s match between Mexico and South Africa for carrying fake access passes. A group threw fireworks and stones at police, leading to eight further detentions and four more for damage to public roads; all were later released.
Eleven police officers were injured in the clashes, and six were hospitalized with contusions. At the Zócalo Fan Fest, where 11,000 agents were deployed, three people were arrested and 36 stolen phones were recovered.
President Claudia Sheinbaum did not attend the stadium. The SSC said it will maintain special operations for upcoming matches at Estadio Ciudad de México and patrols across the 16 boroughs.
