Mexico City police block CNTE teachers’ march to World Cup opening stadium

On June 9, 2026, around 6,000 teachers from the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) planned to demonstrate near the Banorte Stadium in Mexico City, where the World Cup 2026 opening match (Mexico vs South Africa) was to be held. City police deployed anti‑riot units, placed concrete blocks and deflated tires on a trailer to prevent the march from reaching the stadium. The blockade forced the closure of the Tlalpan‑Periférico road, diverting traffic and suspending Light Rail service.

Earlier that day, police at the Tlalpan toll booth on the Mexico‑Cuernavaca highway stopped a convoy of normalista (teacher‑training) students and relatives of the 43 missing Ayotzinapa students. Officers seized 59 homemade explosives and detained the group briefly before allowing them to continue toward the Glorieta del Caballito, where they were expected to meet other CNTE participants.

The authorities cited security concerns ahead of the high‑profile World Cup opening, while protest organizers said the demonstration would remain peaceful.