Mexican joy overcomes obstacles as World Cup opener ignites Mexico City | OneFootball

Despite teacher union protests and citywide disruption, Mexico City turned the World Cup’s opening day into a party. Hundreds of thousands packed the Zócalo to watch the opener, queuing for hours around fencing beside the teachers’ camp.

Entry delays and near 1 kilometre queues ringed the city’s largest FIFA Fan Fest. Some rode public bikes for the 5 kilometre trip to the centre. According to El Financiero, interest rose from 29% in March to 43% by late May, similar to Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

Eduardo, 28, had queued over half an hour yet still stood more than 500 metres from the gate, excited despite the hassles. Ricardo, 29, travelled from Chicago to open his tournament in Mexico, preferring the atmosphere to games in the United States. Crowds sang Cielito Lindo and paraded as Chapulín Colorado and El Santo.

Many remained wary of the team, with 65% lacking confidence after the 2022 group-stage exit, Mexico’s first in nearly 50 years. Works for the tournament and rolling protests used the event to press the Government, adding to residents’ strain.

On the day, a green tide pressed on with flags, masks and vuvuzelas. Access took about two hours before entrances shut at 11:45, shortly after the stadium ceremony began. Vanesa García from Colombia found the lines confusing, while Francisco from Ecuador switched from metro to Uber as stations closed. The closure angered thousands left outside, but the kick-off hushed the noise and Quiñones’ opener against South Africa turned anxiety into celebration.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo