Mexican teachers escalate protests ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup opening

Mexico’s National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) is set to intensify protests ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the tournament’s opening match on June 11 in Mexico City, the union plans to use the global spotlight to push its demands. Teachers have already established a protest camp in the capital, with thousands participating in an indefinite strike. The CNTE has maintained a protest camp in Mexico City for weeks, drawing an estimated 10,000 teachers. Their core demands include the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE pension law, the scrapping of education reforms, higher wages, and a complete overhaul of the pension system. The union also insists on a direct meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum.

To strengthen its campaign, the CNTE is preparing informational materials in multiple languages. These will target foreign visitors and international media covering the World Cup’s early matches. Guerrero’s State Coordinator of Education Workers (CETEG) has pledged to send additional contingents to reinforce the protest camp and join demonstrations. The union’s strategy focuses on leveraging the tournament’s global attention rather than disrupting events at Azteca Stadium. Future actions will be decided by the National Representative Assembly, with plans to coordinate mobilisations alongside other social movements. The CNTE remains firmly opposed to the current individual retirement account system and UMA-based pension payments.

The CNTE’s protests will unfold as the World Cup draws near, with teachers aiming to amplify their message on a global stage. Decisions on further demonstrations will come from the union’s leadership in the coming days. The strike and protest camp in Mexico City show no signs of ending soon.