Riot Police Clash with Protesters Hurling Stones Outside World Cup Opening Ceremony
Noora Mykkanen | Senior Transport Reporter
Published June 11, 2026 8:43pm | Updated June 11, 2026 8:53pm
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Up Next: Tensions are flaring up outside the stadium hosting the World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico as the Mexico v South Africa game kicked off. Protesters were seen throwing rocks and other projectiles at riot police stationed at gate eight leading into the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The crowd control barriers had been torn down, and the groups of officers used shields as a barrage of rocks, bottles and even bouquets of orange flowers were hurled at them shortly after Mexico scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup inside the stadium.
Earlier, mothers searching for their disappeared children are said to have breached the security cordon surrounding the Azteca Stadium following days of marches and protests. Sign up for all of the latest stories. Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
Protests outside the Azteca Stadium near Mexico City have picked up pace leading into the inauguration of the first FIFA games. Roads have been blocked by the sweeping security operation outside the stadium in Calzada de Tlalpan, but some groups are said to have broken through.
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Up Next: Moments before the national anthem of Mexico rang out, one of the three host countries alongside the US and Canada, security barriers were pushed aside on the surrounding roads. Footage appears to show groups of the mothers of the disappeared or searching mothers – madres buscadoras in Spanish – breaching the security perimeter along with other people.
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The mothers were seen running as they evaded the police, carrying banners and pictures of their missing loved ones, many of whom are feared killed by drug cartels. The mothers have become one of the most vocal groups and an embodiment of the agony for families living in limbo over the fate of the missing. In the days leading up to the kick off, 400 mums, dads and other family members marched along the main avenue leading up to the stadium to highlight their plight to the world. Banners asked ‘the ball is coming home, but when are you coming home?’ as the number of disappeared people in Mexico has reached over 130,000, according to estimates cited by the activists.
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