Gianni Infantino booed by Mexican fans during 2026 World Cup Mexico‑England match

At the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, fans of the host nation shouted a loud jeer when FIFA president Gianni Infantino appeared briefly to place the tournament trophy on the field. The boos reflected broader discontent among Mexican supporters over issues such as the number of matches allocated to Mexico as a co‑host, repeated sanctions imposed on the Mexican federation for crowd misconduct, and perceptions that FIFA favored other teams.

Supporters also criticized referee Wilson Sampaio for decisions they felt disadvantaged Mexico, including a non‑called penalty and the red card given to César Montes. The episode highlighted lingering tensions between the Mexican football community and FIFA leadership ahead of the tournament.