Thousands of supporters are threatening to boycott the opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup following a dispute over stadium entry rules. Owners of executive boxes at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City claim they face severe restrictions on selling tickets and providing refreshments for the curtain-raiser between Mexico and South Africa, as well as later matches.
More than 15,000 seats in the recently renovated 87,000-capacity venue are affected. The issue stems from FIFA's policy of taking full control of stadiums during the tournament, a practice it has maintained since the 1998 World Cup. However, when the stadium underwent a complete reconstruction in 1966, suites were sold with unrestricted rights for 99 years, covering all sporting events and concerts, including the 1970 and 1986 World Cups.
Unhappy box owners are now threatening action, including boycotts and protests supported by the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) union, if constructive talks do not occur. Roberto Ruano, a spokesman for the Mexican Association of Box and Grandstand Seat Holders, stated: "They are forcing us to accept the support offered by the CNTE. If there is no dialogue by Wednesday or Thursday, we will ask for the support of our friends who are also protesting."
Ruano has appealed to FIFA and Emilio Azcarraga, whose Grupo Ollamani owns the stadium and Club America. He added: "I want to make a gentlemanly appeal to Emilio Azcarraga, to tell him that I am ready to sit down and talk with him. We are three days away from the World Cup, and we have the CNTE, transport workers, and many other groups ready to support us if he continues to block us."
The stadium management, FIFA, FIFA Mexico, Grupo Ollamani, and Grupo Banorte are reportedly refusing to meet. Ruano said: "We are publicly notifying them, in accordance with precautionary measures issued by the Sixth District Judge of Mexico City, that tomorrow at 2pm we will be with all box and grandstand owners to deliver our food and drinks. They don't want to receive this notification, but we'll leave it under their doors."
The 2026 World Cup has already faced controversy over ticket pricing and the political climate in the US, which is in conflict with Iran, one of the 48 competing nations. Iran supporters have had their group stage ticket allocation withdrawn, and Somali referee Omar Artan was removed after being denied entry into the US.
