World Cup fever meets protest in Mexico City

World Cup fever meets protest in Mexico City Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mexico City police stood guard around the Azteca stadium in the days leading up to the opening matchByElizabeth ConwayWorld Cup reporter , AtMexico CityPublished2 minutes agoThe countdown is over. The 2026 World Cup has arrived in Mexico City.The opening week of the festivities has transformed the Mexican capital. Mexican flags hang from bikes and balconies. Bright orange Mexican marigold flowers are appearing all over the city. Fan zones are taking shape, giant images of Mexico players loom from towering buildings, and football shirts are everywhere. On the streets, in parks and in cafes, conversations revolve around the tournament. There is a buzz in the air. As one of the host cities for football's biggest event, Mexico City feels vibrant, alive and full of anticipation. The sounds, the music, the smells, the atmosphere – everything seems to have an extra edge to it. For the third time in its history, the city is preparing to welcome the world.And yet, beneath all of that celebration, there is a striking juxtaposition.'133,000 missing people'At the Angel of Independence, one of Mexico City's most recognisable landmarks, hundreds of portraits cover the base of the monument. Men, women and children stare out from laminated posters attached to the stonework. Each image is of a person who has disappeared.Volunteers move among the crowds handing out leaflets printed in both Spanish and English. The message on the front is direct: "WE ARE FAMILIES SEARCHING FOR MISSING PEOPLE.""We are searching for over 133,000 missing people. People we love, miss and wait for every single day. This number is more than one and half times the capacity of Banorte stadium [Azteca stadium]," the leaflet reads. "It is estimated that a bus full of people disappear every day in this country."It gave more detail before concluding with the phrase: "The cup...