What was supposed to be a night of celebration for thousands of fans turned into a tragedy in Mexico City. Three people died of asphyxiation during the celebrations following the Mexican national team’s victory in the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after massive crowds gathered on Paseo de la Reforma and the surrounding area.
The victims were treated by emergency crews after being found unconscious at various locations near the Angel of Independence, where more than a million people had gathered to celebrate the Tricolor’s victory over Ecuador. Despite resuscitation efforts and their transfer to hospitals, all three people lost their lives.
What happened during the celebrations?
According to the Mexico City Health Secretariat, the victims were a 19-year-old woman, a 48-year-old woman, and a 44-year-old man, who died of asphyxiation caused by the crowds during the celebration.
Emergency services deployed in the area managed to treat hundreds of people for various conditions, including dehydration, alcohol poisoning, injuries, and nervous breakdowns. However, the large number of attendees complicated rescue efforts at some points along the Paseo de la Reforma corridor.
Authorities Mourn the Deaths
The Head of Government of Mexico City expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and assured them that the authorities will provide support throughout the process.
For her part, the President of Mexico also lamented the events and announced that support will be provided to the affected families, in addition to reviewing the security protocols implemented for the World Cup celebrations.
Prosecutor’s Office Is Already Investigating the Incident
Following the tragedy, the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether there were any failures in the security operations implemented during the mass gathering.
Authorities will also analyze possible adjustments to civil protection measures, crowd control, and traffic management ahead of the Mexican national team’s upcoming matches, as the team is set to play another game in the capital during the World Cup round of 16.
A Historic Celebration with a Painful Outcome
The celebration of Mexico’s advancement drew one of the largest crowds ever recorded on Paseo de la Reforma during the 2026 World Cup. Although the atmosphere was marked by the fans’ euphoria, the tragedy served as a reminder of the risks posed by massive crowds when thousands of people gather in the same space.
As investigations continue, authorities called on the public to celebrate responsibly and announced that they will strengthen safety protocols for upcoming World Cup-related events.
