Members of the National Coordination of Education Workers participate in an indefinite national strike in Mexico City to increase pressure on the government to address their labor demands as the 2026 World Cup nears. Photo by Mario Guzman/EPA
More than 1.4 million students remain out of class in Mexico due to a strike by the National Coordinator of Education Workers as the country prepares to open the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday in Mexico City.
About 88,500 teachers have been on strike since June 1, maintaining protests in several parts of the country to demand wage increases, changes to the pension system and the repeal of education reforms.
Public Education Secretary Mario Delgado said at a news conference Tuesday that 17,471 schools remain closed in six states and the Mexican capital, affecting 1,410,459 students.
The most severe disruption is in Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s poorest states, where more than 734,000 students have been affected by the suspension of classes.
In Chiapas, more than 261,000 students have been impacted, while in Zacatecas, the strike has disrupted classes for more than 217,000 students.
School closures have also been reported in Guerrero, Michoacán and Mexico City, although with a smaller impact.
The strike comes with just over a month remaining in Mexico’s school year and as thousands of spectators begin to arrive in the country for the start of the World Cup. The opening ceremony and first match will be held Thursday at Mexico City Stadium.
Delgado also said some factions within the National Coordinator of Education Workers previously opposed modifications to the school calendar related to World Cup preparations, arguing that instructional days needed to be preserved.
Erik Avilés, general director of Mexicanos Primero in Michoacán, said the figures reflect years of political negotiations that have sidelined students’ right to education, according to reports by Pulso.
“The figure that should be most scandalous is Oaxaca. Nine out of 10 Oaxacan children without a teacher,” he said.
Mexican media reported Wednesday that eight groups of demonstrators were mobilizing with the intention of reaching Mexico City Stadium, where the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held.
#Loret. Al menos ocho movilizaciones apuntan al Estadio Azteca y el gobierno responde con cercos y restricciones. Entre protestas de la CNTE, colectivos de búsqueda, trabajadores y otros grupos, la tensión aumenta en la Ciudad de México previo al Mundial. El gobierno anunció… pic.twitter.com/QapPsYSPVf— Latinus (@latinus_us) June 10, 2026
The government announced access controls and measures to prevent demonstrations from reaching the stadium during the opening event, according to Latinus.
During her daily press briefing Wednesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum asked reporters to avoid questions on “controversial” topics because “we are already in a World Cup spirit” and wished the Mexican national team “good vibes.”
“Today we are not going to get into controversies. Today we are only about love and peace,” Sheinbaum said.
