Protesters in Mexico City turned a busy ring road into a makeshift football pitch on March 28 to denounce World Cup preparations they say are causing evictions and diverting resources from basic services. Organisers called the action the "World Cup of Dispossession" to highlight shortages of housing, water, transport and electricity. More than 4,000 emergency personnel were deployed as demonstrators played "cascaritas," displayed banners reading "Global event, local eviction," and used the matches to draw attention to local grievances.
Highway Turned Pitch: Mexico City Protesters Slam World Cup 'Dispossession'
People from different civil organizations play soccer matches on a major urban highway to protest against the reopening of Azteca Stadium, officially renamed Banorte Stadium, on the day of a friendly match between the national teams of Mexico and Portugal held to mark the stadium's inauguration, as Mexico prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, in Mexico City, Mexico, March 28, 2026. REUTERS/Luis Cortes
MEXICO CITY, March 28 — Hundreds of demonstrators transformed a major ring road in Mexico City into a makeshift football pitch on Saturday, staging impromptu "cascaritas" to protest World Cup preparations they say are prioritising tournament projects over urgent local needs.
People from different civil organizations play soccer matches on a major urban highway to protest against the reopening of Azteca Stadium, officially renamed Banorte Stadium, on the day of a friendly match between the national teams of Mexico and Portugal held to mark the stadium’s inauguration, as Mexico prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, in Mexico City, Mexico, March 28, 2026. REUTERS/Luis Cortes
The demonstration took place on the white-painted asphalt of the busy beltway, where fans wearing Mexico shirts and the colours of club teams such as Pumas, Chivas and Italy's Juventus kicked off informal matches while an organiser provided live commentary over a loudspeaker.
Riot police stand guard as people from different civil organizations play soccer matches on a major urban highway to protest against the reopening of Azteca Stadium, officially renamed Banorte Stadium, on the day of a friendly match between the national teams of Mexico and Portugal held to mark the stadium’s inauguration, as Mexico prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, in Mexico City, Mexico, March 28, 2026. REUTERS/Luis Cortes
Organisers described the action as a denunciation of the "World Cup of Dispossession," aiming to highlight shortages of housing, water, transport and electricity across the capital. Banners at the scene included one reading "Global event, local eviction," reflecting protesters' claims that World Cup-related development is fuelling displacement in some neighbourhoods.
People from different civil organizations play soccer matches on a major urban highway to protest against the reopening of Azteca Stadium, officially renamed Banorte Stadium, on the day of a friendly match between the national teams of Mexico and Portugal held to mark the stadium’s inauguration, as Mexico prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, in Mexico City, Mexico, March 28, 2026. REUTERS/Luis Cortes
Authorities deployed more than 4,000 emergency services personnel to keep the demonstration safe. The protest came just hours before Mexico's warm-up match against Portugal, and the informal games initially played in the highway's central lane caused heavy traffic congestion before participants shifted to an outer lane for a second match.
In a politically charged moment during the second game, players used a ball bearing an image of U.S. President Donald Trump; organisers did not immediately explain the symbolism. Other political signs included Ukraine flags and chants of "Free Palestine." Players, encircled by police, paused play when the ball rolled into traffic and waited for it to be returned while some passing drivers honked in apparent support.
"The union that this sport builds between people — if a ball appears everyone tries to play, you forget about your differences and enjoy the game," said Roman, a protester who gave only his first name. "Football is about community; it's about more than money. We want attention. We want decent transport. We want water. We want electricity. We want to be able to get home. We want lights in the streets."
Another protester, identified as Julian and wearing a Lucha Libre mask, said he loves football but disagrees with how World Cup preparations are being handled in Mexico. Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Canada; the tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July with matches scheduled in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina, Alicia Fernandez and Hugo Monnet in Mexico City; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
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