On the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the contrasting emotions in Mexico City were palpable - a city torn between celebration and crisis.
Mexico is jointly hosting the tournament alongside the United States and Canada, and kicked off the competition with a star-studded event at the Estadio Azteca featuring Shakira, Andrea Bocelli and Burna Boy.
But while fans danced to the music inside the stadium, outside the atmosphere was markedly different. The sound of drums echoed in protest, not celebration.
More than 1,000 relatives of Mexico's missing people marched towards the venue carrying candles and photographs of loved ones who had vanished, many without a trace.
As 48 teams battle for the World Cup trophy, protestors have bestowed their own title on the host nation, "Mexico campeon en desaparcion" - Mexico the champions of disappearance.
