Mexico City officials announced increased security measures and restrictions for fan gatherings ahead of the Mexico – England FIFA World Cup match following four deaths earlier in the week. The city will double security and limit attendance at two major locations, the “Angel of Independence” monument and the fan festival in the Zócalo, Mexico City’s main square.
Mayor Clara Brugada presented the pre and postmatch safety plan Friday in response to the deaths of four people who suffered asphyxiation and cardiac arrest following Mexico’s victory over Ecuador. The mayor detailed that safety improvements would focus on crowd management and restricted access to popular celebration points throughout the city.
Authorities have noted that Mexican fans have gathered in the streets in large numbers due to high ticket prices at the stadiums. As a World Cup host city, Mexico City has seen celebrations increase as the national team advances further than it has in 40 years.
After a February attack in Guadalajara raised safety concerns, Mexican officials reaffirmed that thorough preparations were made to ensure the country’s safety as a host. The reinforced measures aim to provide control during gatherings linked to Sunday’s game.
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According to official reports, victims of the June 30 incident included two women aged 19 and 44 and a 48-year-old man, all of whom died from asphyxiation near the Paseo de la Reforma. A 25-year-old man, treated for epilepsy, a seizure and gastrointestinal bleeding, later died from cardiorespiratory arrest at a hospital.
An investigation by the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office is ongoing into the four deaths. Officials have not yet disclosed further details about findings from the inquiry.
Mayor Brugada confirmed that both the Angel monument and the Zócalo will remain free to the public but admission will be controlled. These measures, she said, are intended to prioritize the safety of attendees at both venues.
Public Security Secretary Pablo Vázquez set a capacity limit of 25,000 people at the Angel monument. Once that number is reached, fans will be redirected along the Paseo de la Reforma, where multiple screens will show the match and subsequent celebrations.
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A similar procedure will be implemented at the Zócalo, where access will close once capacity is reached. More than 50 other designated public areas across Mexico City will serve as additional viewing locations for the match.
Vázquez also announced that 6,000 officers would be deployed along Paseo de la Reforma, double the number used on June 30. Another 7,500 police officers will operate around Estadio Azteca, and 3,300 will oversee security in the Zócalo.
The police will establish a perimeter around the Angel of Independence to manage pedestrian flow. Street vendors and delivery drivers will not have access to those zones, and temporary closures will affect nearby Metro and Metrobus lines.
Secretary of Government César Cravioto added that an alcohol ban would take effect from early Sunday morning through the following day in the city center streets. Alcohol consumption will still be permitted inside restaurants, hotels, private clubs, banquet halls, theaters, auditoriums, and movie theaters.
Civil Protection Secretary Myriam Urzúa urged the public to refrain from engaging in crowd activities such as “Want to Fly!” and “Shall We Swim!”—crowd games that involve lifting and tossing people or synchronized movement set to music.
Meanwhile, England’s players and coaching staff arrived late Friday night at a hotel in the Santa Fe district under tight security. Their arrival was secured by dozens of police officers, while fans gathered nearby to applaud as the team passed.
For their first evening in the city, there were no large crowds outside the England team’s hotel. This contrasted with the earlier Ecuador match, during which groups of fans had stayed outside Mexico’s opponents’ hotel to make noise overnight.
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