Mexico closes schools during World Cup opener to ease traffic

Mexico City students will get an unexpected day off from school on Thursday, as President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered the suspension of classes in an effort to minimise traffic on the day the Mexican national team plays the World Cup opener against South Africa.

Speaking Tuesday, Sheinbaum also told federal employees to work from home on Thursday, with the exception of essential services and those involved with World Cup matters.

The Mexico-South Africa game will kick off at 1 pm local time, the first of 104 World Cup games to be spread across Mexico, Canada and the United States over the next six weeks.

Sheinbaum said the decision regarding Thursday closures was made in an effort toward "improving conditions for mobility, road safety and accessibility, both for Mexico City inhabitants and visiting tourists, on the occasion of the inauguration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup".

"The private and social sectors in Mexico City are urged to implement remote working arrangements for all non-essential administrative activities," she added. 

The Mexican national team plays a night game on June 18 against South Korea in Zapopan, Mexico, then concludes play in Group A against the Czech Republic in Mexico City on the night of June 24.