Estadio Azteca LIVE: World Cup chaos as violent clashes erupt at Mexico vs South Africa

Rocks and bottles were thrown at police outside the stadium.

Local media reported that dozens of arrests were made as a result.

A group of hooded men reportedly threw bricks, petrol bombs and other missiles.

This led to several police officers needing medical treatment, The Guardian reported.

Police blocked an avenue to prevent protesting teachers from marching to the stadium just days earlier on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Residents say disappearances is an issue that touches almost every community, it has been reported.

Many say they know a family affected by it.

The BBC reported that volunteers handed out leaflets with the message "WE ARE FAMILIES SEARCHING FOR MISSING PEOPLE."

"We are searching for over 133,000 missing people. People we love, miss and wait for every single day. This number is more than one and half times the capacity of Banorte stadium [Azteca stadium]."

"It is estimated that a bus full of people disappear every day in this country."

"The cup came back home. When will our loved ones?"

At one of Mexico City's most recognisable landmarks, the Angel of Independence, hundreds of portraits covered the base of the monument, with each image being one person who has disappeared.

Many residents have complained money was being spent to ​beautify the city for ⁠visitors without addressing underlying infrastructure issues. 

Freshly painted murals, new trains and a revamped stadium welcomed tourists for the games were a stark contrast to the steel barricades mounted by businesses to protect themselves from rioters along the capital's main avenue, Reuters news agency reported.

At least six protests were planned on Thursday.

Leading up to the World Cup, Mexico has been marked by social unrest in the capital.

Various groups have marched in ​attempts to leverage the international spotlight to advance their causes.

Protesters gathered outside the opening match.

They held a banner which, according to Google Translate, reads: "They took them alive, we want them back alive".

The following video shows military jets flying over the crowd of angry protesters.

Tensions have risen as visitors pour into Mexico City, with some residents arguing that officials have focused on the event at the expense of urgent social concerns.

Last night, over 1,000 relatives of Mexico's missing people marched toward the stadium carrying candles and photographs of their missing loved ones.

Widely circulated footage shows protestors throwing cones and plant pots across the security perimeter at the police.

Secretariat of Citizen Security of Mexico City said in a statement: " Following the events that occurred in the vicinity of the #EstadioCiudadDeMéxico, in which nearly 200 hooded individuals who broke away from two groups of around 800 protesters, the situation was brought under control by personnel from the #Metropolitan Police."

The protesters appear to be throwing stones at the police.

"A group of hooded figures" appeared to have "arrived near gate 8 of the Estadio Ciudad de México" as the World Cup inauguration took place place.

The video below shows a large group of protesters that has gathered.

Police appear to be in riot gear.

Footgage suggest there may be unrest near Gate 8 of Estadio Ciudad de México with large groups of protestors hurling Molotov cocktails.

Good evening. My name is Lauran O'Toole and welcome to our live coverage.

Violent clashes have erupted at the Estadio Azteca as Mexico and South Africa face off in the opening game of the World Cup.

We will provide you with live updates as we receive them.