US receives a frosty welcome at World Cup 2026 opener in Mexico City

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe United States will host 78 of the 104 games during this World Cup, three times more than Mexico and Canada combined (REUTERS)The United States flag was met with loud boos and jeers from spectators at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City during the opening ceremony of the World Cup.This reaction occurred as the US flag was paraded onto the pitch and displayed on the stadium's big screen, ahead of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.The atmosphere notably shifted from jubilant roars for other flags, including Canada's, to audible disapproval for the US flag, before cheers resumed for Mexico's flag.The United States is scheduled to host 78 of the 104 games during this World Cup, which is three times more than the combined total for co-hosts Mexico and Canada.The build-up to the 48-team tournament has been marked by several controversies, many of which involve the United States and Donald Trump, including US strikes against Iran, a participating team, in February.In fullUSA flag booed before World Cup 2026 opening game in Mexico CityThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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