As the start of the World Cup approaches, countries have begun traveling to the host nations where they will set up their training camps. In Mexico, which has recently experienced cartel-related unrest, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that all security measures for visitors arriving for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are in place and that special protocols for the matches have been developed in cooperation with FIFA. The South Africa national team was seen being escorted by armed vehicles upon arrival in the country.
The teams participating in the tournament will be based in Mexico during the competition, with Colombia (Guadalajara), Iran (Tijuana), South Korea (Guadalajara), Mexico (Mexico City), South Africa (Pachuca), Tunisia (Monterrey), and Uruguay (Cancun) all setting up their camps in the country.
Teacher protests continue
Meanwhile, in Mexico, protesting teachers tore down a football statue in central Mexico City on Tuesday, June 2, and threatened to escalate demonstrations ahead of the World Cup if the government fails to respond to their labor demands. The incident took place less than two weeks before the city hosts its World Cup opening match.