As the festivities got underway inside the iconic 87,000-seater Mexico City Stadium - usually named the Estadio Azteca - there were more unsavory scenes taking place away from the world's glare.

Thousands of demonstrators blocked an avenue leading to Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, just days before the 2026 World Cup kicks off at the venue

Just 48 hours before the World Cup opening ceremony, protesters block the road to Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. Learn more about the ongoing demonstrations