At least three people were killed during massive celebrations in the capital, Mexico, after the Mexican national team qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, according to what local authorities announced.
The city’s health minister reported that two women, ages 19 and 48, and a 44-year-old man, died of suffocation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said during a press conference: We express our full solidarity and support, assuring the families of the victims that the authorities will stand by them and provide them with all forms of support.
Mexico, which is hosting the twenty-third edition of the finals in partnership with the United States and Canada, qualified for the quarter-finals by defeating Ecuador 2-0 at the iconic Asteca Stadium in Mexico City, raising its number of victories to four in a row from the group stage.
To celebrate the qualification and first victory of their country in the elimination round of the World Cup since 1986, when the finals were also held on home soil, more than a million people gathered in the streets of the capital, Mexico City, especially around the “Angel de la Independencia” monument, according to city government estimates.
At least three people have died during massive celebrations in Mexico City following the qualification of the Mexican national team for the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup being held in North America, local authorities announced.
The city’s health minister reported that two women, aged 19 and 48, and a 44-year-old man, died from asphyxiation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated during a press conference: “We express our full solidarity and support,” assuring the families of the victims that the authorities will stand by them and provide all forms of assistance.
Mexico, which is co-hosting the 23rd edition of the finals with the United States and Canada, qualified for the Round of 16 by defeating Ecuador 2-0 at the iconic “Estadio Azteca” in Mexico City, raising its number of consecutive victories to four since the group stage.
In celebration of their qualification and the first win for their national team in a knockout round of the World Cup since 1986, when the finals were also held on home soil, over a million people gathered in the streets of Mexico City, particularly around the “Ángel de la Independencia” monument, according to estimates from the city government.
