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Mexico’s wild World Cup party was unforgettable. What’s next for El Tri?
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- Mexico’s wild World Cup party was unforgettable. What’s next for El Tri?
MEXICO CITY — It's hard to say when the anxieties fully lifted, but the Estadio Azteca , christened the "Mexico City Stadium" during the 2026 World Cup , became a cauldron of pure joy.
It may have been before the opening ceremony, when legendary Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa took the field for a moment of reflection, only to find the stadium already full of fans who sang his name. Perhaps it was as the ceremony started, and fans joined Mana in a rousing version of "Oye, Mi Amor". Maybe it was the eardrum-shattering national anthem, as fans lifted their voices to join Alejandro Fernandez.
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Perhaps that tension still was there until Julian Quiñones' right-footed shot hit the back of the net , causing fans to throw their beers, sodas and other beverages into the air in a celebration long seen at the Azteca.
But whatever the moment, what was clear is that Thursday's 2-0 Mexico win over South Africa was a party, living up to what every green-clad fan at the stadium hoped it would, , when they secured tickets for the opening game, most at a considerable cost. The rain even held off until the final whistle had blown.
Mexico's Raul Rangel celebrates the opening goal against South Africa.
All week here in Mexico's sprawling capital city, there had been worries, about the teacher's union blocking access to the Zocalo, the city's historic center square which also is hosting the Fan Fest. About other protest movements, including a group of mothers whose children have disappeared amidst the country's continual nightmare of narcoviolence. About what foreign visitors would think about this country if they spent most of their trip here stuck or swept up in a protest.
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But as the deadline approached, an agreement was struck, with Mexico president Claudia Scheinbaum announcing in her daily morning news conference that the teachers would release their chokehold on the center. Of course, some groups still worked to make their message heard at the perimiter set around the stadium, but fans were largely in their seats by the time the first note of the opening ceremony played 90 minutes before kickoff.
Players on both teams felt the weight of the crowd, announced at 80,824 people, a total sell-out for the venue's current setup. For Erik Lira , the Cruz Azul midfielder who got a starting nod and wound through some of the streets near the neighborhood where he grew up as Mexico's bus went from its training center to the stadium.
"It was an emotionally difficult game because this doesn't happen often in your life. I don't think the moment I experienced today will happen again. So, it was difficult, complicated but we've all worked mentally to be the best possible, for this sort of scene to not affect us and be able to perform as well as possible.
"There were nerves, a bit of fear, but that's normal. We were able to win and start the World Cup at home on the right foot."
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It wasn't a perfect day for Mexico. Center back Cesar Montes' late red card means Mexico manager Aguirre will need to rework his back line next match and hopes for much sharper finishing. As El Tri kept the ball in its own half, fans in the Azteca whistled and jeered, hoping to see their squad push up.
"I didn't hear that, but you guys are better journalists than I am," Aguirre said after. "You go happy if you win 4-0. With 2-0 I was happy, 4-0 would've been better, but the nerves are on the side now and these are three points that feel good."
The societal issues protestors worked to put into the consciousness of the country and the world this week will linger longer than that good feelings but for now in Mexico City everyone is happy with not just three points, but the way in which the game went.
After the other game in this group, Czechia against South Korea , is played in Jalisco, the tournament will shift to its other co-hosts, Canada and the United States. There, there are other anxieties. Whether or not they will lift, will remain to be seen.
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Mexico City has four more World Cup matches to host, and fans hope they see El Tri win three of them - the final group stage, the Round of 32 match in which the Group A winner plays
For now, it's a weekend free from the tension that had gripped so many Capitalinos all week. Mexico won. The Azteca gleamed. The world watched in wonder. The party rolls on.
When is Mexico's next game at World Cup?
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June 18 vs. South Korea, 9 p.m. ET – BUY TICKETS
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June 24 vs. Czechia, 9 p.m. ET – BUY TICKETS
World Cup group previews and predictions
Group A (Mexico) | Group B | Group C | Group D (USMNT) | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mexico's World Cup atmosphere was absolutely unbelievable
