Mexico City World Cup Stadium became the center of two very different scenes on Thursday as the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially began. While fans inside the famous stadium celebrated the start of football’s biggest event, violent clashes broke out outside the venue shortly before kickoff.

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

ALBAWABA- Thousands of striking teachers blocked major roads in Mexico City on Tuesday, bringing parts of the capital to a standstill just 48 hours befo