Mexico City police teargas teachers’ protest 10 days before World Cup

Riot police fired teargas at teachers who were marching toward Mexico City’s historic Zócalo plaza, just days before the square is expected to host the 2026 World Cup "Fan Fest". The incident was the second time police clashed with teachers in the past week, and more conflict is likely as Mexico City prepares to hold the opening game of the Fifa World Cup on 11 June.

Filiberto Frausto, a union leader, told AFP, which witnessed police firing teargas on 1 June: "This event will have to be suspended. A cause like ours should be far above – it’s far more important than a little bit of distraction and fun." Teachers associated with the CNTE union have called for salary raises and the reversal of pension laws, and began threatening to protest during the World Cup in mid-May, during a march on Teacher’s Day.

Pedro Hernandez Morales, general secretary of CNTE section 9 in Mexico City, warned that if demands are not met before the opening match "the ball will not roll", Al Jazeera English reported.

Mexico, Mexico City

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