Teachers in Mexico Bring Down Statues Ahead of World Cup

A passer-by walks past a giant sculpture from the urban show "Gigantes del Futbol" (Giants of Football). This statue was pulled down during a protest by the National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE) on June 2, 2026. They are calling for a general strike and protests around stadiums for the FIFA 2026 World Cup in Mexico City. (Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP)

Teachers protesting for better pay took down statues of football players in Mexico City on Tuesday. They warned of more protests before the World Cup if the government does not meet their demands.

The CNTE, a breakaway part of the national teachers’ union, organized the protest. They also plan mass demonstrations for the World Cup opening on June 11.

The five-meter-high plastic statues of football players stand on the city’s Paseo de la Reforma avenue, surrounded by tall buildings. The protesters used ropes to bring down three statues, taking off their uniforms and setting them on fire.

"Long live the CNTE," read red graffiti on a nude mannequin. Another message said, "If there isn’t a solution, the ball won’t roll."

On Monday, police broke up another CNTE march with tear gas and sound grenades near the famous Zocalo plaza. This plaza will host the World Cup Fan Fest. On Tuesday, police were still blocking the plaza with metal barricades.

Teachers stand near a barricade at the Zocalo as blue smoke from a fire extinguisher used by police rises from the other side during a protest ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City on June 1, 2026. (Photo by Alfredo ESTRELLA / AFP)

The CNTE is asking for a 100 percent salary increase and opposes pension reforms. They have rejected the nine percent pay raise the government agreed to with the official union leaders.

Tuesday’s protest caused road closures and worsened the already heavy traffic in the city. The protesters knocked down statues of players from Belgium, France, and Spain, but the mannequin in the Mexican kit remained standing.

Police did not take action against the protesters. "If (Sheinbaum) calls toppling some statues a crime, what would she call taking away our rights? We need to be more firm," said Juan Pablo de la Cruz, a 44-year-old teacher who joined the protest.

President Claudia Sheinbaum described the protest as peaceful. A government statement called for talks to resume.

Mexico is co-hosting the World Cup with the United States and Canada.

AFP