Anti-World Cup Protests Delay Mexico-England Match and Force Cuauhtémoc Blanco to Divert

The van of the former footballer was vandalised by protesters from the Anti-World Cup Assembly in Periférico Sur. The round of 16 match was also delayed by a thunderstorm.

The lead-up to the round of 16 match of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and England was not just about football. A protest by the Anti-World Cup Assembly in Periférico Sur left shocking images: the van carrying Cuauhtémoc Blanco, former footballer and ex-governor of Morelos, was spray-painted by a hooded individual while the vehicle was stopped due to the blockade.

Graffiti on Cuauhtémoc Blanco's Van during the 'Anti-FIFA Challenge'

The events occurred around midday on Sunday, when the mobilization called 'Anti-FIFA Challenge' blocked several lanes of Periférico Sur near the Estadio Azteca. Blanco's van became trapped in the congestion, and a person with their face covered approached and spray-painted one side of the vehicle.

The former national team player got out of the vehicle to try to talk to the protesters, but the tension did not ease. Finally, agents from the Citizen Security Secretariat (SSC) instructed the driver to reverse and take an alternate route to reach the stadium.

The Anti-World Cup Assembly, the organizer of the protest, sought to take advantage of the media attention surrounding the match to highlight their demands: they denounce gentrification, disappearances of people, water shortages, and the negative social impact that organizing an event of this magnitude has on Mexico City.

The blockade caused traffic disruptions for several hours on one of the main arteries of the capital, just as thousands of fans were heading to the Azteca.

Thunderstorm Delays Match Start

But the problems did not end there. The rain and electrical activity that hit the capital since the morning led FIFA to activate its storm safety protocol, delaying the start of the match. The Secretariat for Integral Risk Management and Civil Protection had warned of heavy rains, thunderstorms, and even possible hail in the afternoon.

Despite everything, hundreds of fans began to arrive at the stadium with umbrellas and raincoats, determined not to miss the match. Authorities maintained security and traffic operations at the stadium entrances and at various points in the capital to manage the high concentration of people.

For the fans already at the stadium or on their way, the combination of protests and storms posed a double setback: traffic jams and waiting in the rain. What seemed like a festive football day turned into an exercise in patience. The match eventually took place with a delay, but without any further serious incidents. The 'Anti-FIFA Challenge' promises new actions during the World Cup, so authorities and FIFA will need to coordinate security in the coming days.