Fan Celebration in Mexico City: Two Dead After Round-of-16 Qualification

Sequence of the Fatal Incidents

The Mexican authorities have launched investigations into the sequence of events. After the final whistle, crowds formed in several districts, during the course of which the fatal incidents occurred.

Mexico had won 2-0 against Ecuador on Tuesday evening at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and has thus advanced to the Round of 16 of the tournament. According to FIFA, kickoff for the match was postponed by one hour, from 3:00 a.m. German time to 4:00 a.m. German time, due to a storm over the capital.

Incidents Also in Monterrey

The fan celebrations did not proceed peacefully everywhere. In Monterrey in northern Mexico, hundreds of people had stormed a fan festival even before the game, and police deployed pepper spray. Already around three weeks before the World Cup, overcrowding had occurred during a test match in Puebla for the same reason, prompting FIFA to have fan areas closed.

The Mexican Football Federation FMF stated with regard to such precautions: "In accordance with the ruling, some areas were blocked for public sale in line with the regulations established by FIFA and the stadium operators."

During the match at the Azteca Stadium, Mexican fans had started homophobic chants during the goal kick by Ecuador's goalkeeper Hernán Galindez. The newspaper "El Norte" reported in the meantime that the fan zone in Parque Fundidora in Monterrey had reached its maximum capacity with around 100,000 people and that the gates had been closed.

Consequences for Ecuador's Coach

Ecuador's elimination meanwhile had personnel consequences. National team coach Sebastián Beccacece announced his resignation following the 0-2 defeat. "Today is the time to say goodbye to a wonderful family," said the coach, who had taken over the team in August 2024 and whose contract had not been extended beyond the World Cup. "We failed to achieve our goal — namely to play the best World Cup in Ecuador's history," he added.

Uruguay also had to bid farewell to the World Cup, having been eliminated as a two-time world champion already in the group stage with only two points. Coach Marcelo Bielsa subsequently held a 100-minute press conference and said: "What I am absolutely convinced of is that no one cares what I know." Bielsa also stated that he could "perfectly" explain "why we should have finished the group stage with seven points."