Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called protests by teachers ahead of this week's World Cup opening a "provocation" and insisted that Thursday's opening game between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City is guaranteed. The teachers' union has been on strike since last week, demanding a salary rise and the reversal of a pension law the government considers unfeasible.

Teachers camp near the fan zone

Sheinbaum criticised the decision by the CNTE teachers' union to camp near Mexico City's central fan zone in the Zocalo square, describing it as "unexplainable" and "a provocation — as if to say, 'Look at how bad the situation is in Mexico.'" Teachers have called for a mass demonstration across the capital, joined by families of disappeared people.

Government guarantees a peaceful opening

Sheinbaum said on Monday that her government would guarantee the World Cup opening was "well-executed, in peace and tranquility". Police dispersed protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets outside the Zocalo last week, and Mexico City police said they found 59 homemade explosive devices on a bus convoy entering the capital on Monday.

The government has proposed creating a new state-owned company to administer pensions and has said reversing the pension law would cost around $400 million. The teachers have rejected the proposals as insufficient, while the government has urged them to lift their blockades and return to talks.