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A festive opening night for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City was overshadowed by chaos and a medical emergency, after a man suffered a heart attack outside Estadio Azteca as violent clashes unfolded nearby.
The circumstances remain unclear, but reports indicate that he had a heart attack before the first match between Mexico and South Africa. While it’s also not clear if the heat contributed to the medical scare, FIFA was preparing for the sweltering summer by implementing hydration breaks in each half to give players a chance to drink water.
The breaks were promoted as a necessary addition for players, but FIFA was criticized for it being a way to get more advertising revenue.
Ahead of Thursday’s match, a man suffered a heart attack, according to Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana de la Ciudad de México (SSC). Videos circulating on social media showed medical personnel surrounding the man, who was on the ground near the stadium gates. One with over 2 million views on X claimed that the man died, but the SSC refuted the report.
In a post to X, SSC confirmed that its personnel and private medical service workers helped a man who had a heart attack and that he was transported to a hospital for specialized medical attention—but that he was stable.
Newsweek has reached out to the SSC for comment via email but did not receive a response in time for publication.
The identity of the man has not been released but SSC said that the man is a foreign national, indicating that he is not from Mexico.
Along with the heart attack, the first match was plagued by violence outside the stadium when anti-government protesters clashed with riot police. Demonstrators hurled objects at security forces, prompting officers to respond with shields and batons as tensions escalated into physical confrontation, according to The New York Times.
The protests were driven by a mix of grievances, including frustration over cartel violence, poverty and government accountability, as well as anger over the billions spent hosting the World Cup while many social issues remain unresolved. Demonstrators also referenced Mexico’s thousands of missing persons, with some rallying to draw global attention to what they say are long-standing failures by authorities.
While tumult escalated outside, the stadium’s opening ceremony inside continued uninterrupted, featuring a performance by global pop star Shakira and other artists as fans celebrated the start of soccer’s biggest tournament.
Mexico remains one of the most recognizable and consistent teams in World Cup history—but it has never won the tournament. “El Tri” has participated in the competition since its inception in 1930 and this year marks its 18th appearance, placing it among the most frequent participants.
Despite that longevity, the national team has never lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Mexico’s best performances have come on home soil. The team reached the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986, the two tournaments it previously hosted.
In ’86, Mexico topped its group and defeated Bulgaria in the Round of 16 before losing to West Germany on penalties.
More recently, the team has become known for consistently reaching the Round of 16 but failing to advance further—a phenomenon often referred to by fans as the “quinto partido,” or fifth-match barrier. As co-host of the 2026 tournament, Mexico entered this World Cup hoping to finally break that ceiling and deliver a historic run on home turf.
Julian Quinones #16 of Mexico, fourth from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday in Mexico City, Mexico.
Following the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, the tournament continues with a packed early schedule across North America. The next slate of games includes:
The expanded 2026 World Cup features 48 teams divided into 12 groups, marking the largest edition in the tournament’s history. Each team will play three group-stage matches before the competition moves into an expanded knockout round beginning with a Round of 32.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off on Thursday and will run through July 19, concluding with the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which is temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.
The tournament spans 16 host cities across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with a total of 104 matches scheduled—marking the largest World Cup in history.
Key milestones include:
The opening match in Mexico City marked the start of what FIFA expects to be the most widely attended and watched World Cup ever. But the events outside Estadio Azteca on Thursday served as a stark reminder that global sporting spectacles do not exist in a vacuum.
Even as millions tuned in for the opening ceremony and fans filled the stadium, unrest on the streets—and the heart attack of a spectator—cast a shadow over the sport’s biggest celebration, raising difficult questions about security, inequality and the costs of hosting the world’s most popular athletics tournament.
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The circumstances remain unclear, but reports indicate that he had a heart attack before the first match between Mexico and South Africa. While it’s also not clear if the heat contributed to the medical scare, FIFA was preparing for the sweltering summer by implementing hydration breaks in each half to give players a chance to drink water.
The breaks were promoted as a necessary addition for players, but FIFA was criticized for it being a way to get more advertising revenue.
Did a Man Die at the World Cup? What We Know
Ahead of Thursday’s match, a man suffered a heart attack, according to Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana de la Ciudad de México (SSC). Videos circulating on social media showed medical personnel surrounding the man, who was on the ground near the stadium gates. One with over 2 million views on X claimed that the man died, but the SSC refuted the report.
In a post to X, SSC confirmed that its personnel and private medical service workers helped a man who had a heart attack and that he was transported to a hospital for specialized medical attention—but that he was stable.
Newsweek has reached out to the SSC for comment via email but did not receive a response in time for publication.
The identity of the man has not been released but SSC said that the man is a foreign national, indicating that he is not from Mexico.
Along with the heart attack, the first match was plagued by violence outside the stadium when anti-government protesters clashed with riot police. Demonstrators hurled objects at security forces, prompting officers to respond with shields and batons as tensions escalated into physical confrontation, according to The New York Times.
The protests were driven by a mix of grievances, including frustration over cartel violence, poverty and government accountability, as well as anger over the billions spent hosting the World Cup while many social issues remain unresolved. Demonstrators also referenced Mexico’s thousands of missing persons, with some rallying to draw global attention to what they say are long-standing failures by authorities.
While tumult escalated outside, the stadium’s opening ceremony inside continued uninterrupted, featuring a performance by global pop star Shakira and other artists as fans celebrated the start of soccer’s biggest tournament.
Has Mexico Won a World Cup?
Mexico remains one of the most recognizable and consistent teams in World Cup history—but it has never won the tournament. “El Tri” has participated in the competition since its inception in 1930 and this year marks its 18th appearance, placing it among the most frequent participants.
Despite that longevity, the national team has never lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Mexico’s best performances have come on home soil. The team reached the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986, the two tournaments it previously hosted.
In ’86, Mexico topped its group and defeated Bulgaria in the Round of 16 before losing to West Germany on penalties.
More recently, the team has become known for consistently reaching the Round of 16 but failing to advance further—a phenomenon often referred to by fans as the “quinto partido,” or fifth-match barrier. As co-host of the 2026 tournament, Mexico entered this World Cup hoping to finally break that ceiling and deliver a historic run on home turf.
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Julian Quinones #16 of Mexico, fourth from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday in Mexico City, Mexico.
Who Plays Friday in the World Cup?
Following the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, the tournament continues with a packed early schedule across North America. The next slate of games includes:
- Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Toronto
- United States vs. Paraguay, in Los Angeles
The expanded 2026 World Cup features 48 teams divided into 12 groups, marking the largest edition in the tournament’s history. Each team will play three group-stage matches before the competition moves into an expanded knockout round beginning with a Round of 32.
World Cup 2026 Schedule
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off on Thursday and will run through July 19, concluding with the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which is temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.
The tournament spans 16 host cities across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with a total of 104 matches scheduled—marking the largest World Cup in history.
Key milestones include:
- Group stage: June 11–27
- Round of 32: Begins shortly after group play
- Quarterfinals and semifinals: Mid-July
- Final: July 19
The opening match in Mexico City marked the start of what FIFA expects to be the most widely attended and watched World Cup ever. But the events outside Estadio Azteca on Thursday served as a stark reminder that global sporting spectacles do not exist in a vacuum.
Even as millions tuned in for the opening ceremony and fans filled the stadium, unrest on the streets—and the heart attack of a spectator—cast a shadow over the sport’s biggest celebration, raising difficult questions about security, inequality and the costs of hosting the world’s most popular athletics tournament.
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