The opening match of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City faces significant logistical and security challenges due to ongoing protests by the CNTE teachers' union. Scheduled for Thursday, June 11, at Estadio Ciudad de México, the match between Mexico and South Africa is maintained by FIFA, but widespread blockades and threats to disrupt stadium access are causing concern. The CNTE is leveraging the tournament's global visibility to press demands for salary and pension reforms. Mexican authorities, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, are implementing measures like class suspensions and remote work to manage traffic and reduce risks. While the match is not sportingly threatened, its successful execution as a celebration of football is jeopardized by the potential for social unrest to overshadow the event. The government aims to secure the global event without escalating social tensions.