Teacher union protesters topple World Cup statue in Mexico City as wage protests escalate

A statue of a soccer player lies toppled after being vandalized by members of the National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE) during a demonstration in Mexico City, Mexico, 02 June 2026. Teachers have announced plans to escalate protests, citing federal government “inaction,” and are threatening to boycott the 2026 World Cup in Mexico if their demands for higher wages are not met.