Mexico City protesters rip clothes off of World Cup statues, leaving them bare

Naked giant statues of male soccer players could be found on the streets of Mexico City after unrest in the World Cup co-hosts' capital.

Mark Mark
Jun 6, 2026 - 20:00
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If you’ve ever dreamed of a men’s FIFA World Cup in which the players wear socks and cleats and nothing else, then prepare yourself for a wild vision of that (niche) fantasy.

Huge statues of soccer players were stripped naked in the streets of Mexico City on Tuesday, a result of major disorder in the capital of the World Cup host nation with just over a week to go before the opening match of the tournament.

Shirtless protesters were even posing for photos alongside the exposed “Giants of Soccer” figures, whose modesty was somewhat saved by the fact that their creators gave them no genitalia.

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Gay fans might, however, allow themselves to admire the firm and beautifully sculpted buttocks of the statues, whose physiques may well have been modeled on that of Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Coming in at 16 feet in height, the mannequins — all in different national-team jerseys — were part of a special outdoor exhibition to celebrate the World Cup, built along the famous Paseo de la Reforma avenue.

@reuters At least two FIFA World Cup sculptures installed along Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma avenue were damaged during a protest led by teachers from the National Coordination of Education Workers, according to images from the scene and footage shared by national media. #protest #statue #fifaworldcup #mexicocity #mexico ♬ original sound – Reuters

Stripping the World Cup statues

However, when members of the striking CNTE teachers’ union came along to continue their ongoing protests against the Mexican government, they tore down the statues, ripped off their kits, and even set some of them on fire.

The teachers also blocked major roads, causing traffic jams across the capital.

The union has been leading protests for weeks, demanding higher salaries and changes to pension laws, and they are deliberately using the global spotlight of the World Cup to force President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government to listen.

Protesters could be heard chanting: “If there is no solution, the ball won’t roll.”

Sheinbaum even had to move an official meeting that was supposed to be face-to-face onto a Zoom call because protesters had blocked all access to the National Palace.

While the images of the naked statues are undoubtedly rather amusing, the situation in Mexico City is very serious indeed. There is due to be an official World Cup “Fan Fest” in the historic Zócalo plaza, but when the teachers were marching towards the square on Monday, police allegedly used tear gas and rubber bullets on them.

One protester reportedly lost an eye, and four more were injured, according to union leaders. City authorities denied using tear gas or rubber bullets.

Many of the 10,000 businesses in the center of Mexico City were expecting a massive wave of tourism and money from the tournament. Instead, they are facing the prospect of more protests as the teachers’ union says it will continue to push for its pay demands during the tournament.

Mexico host South Africa in the World Cup opener at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday, June 11. The following week, Mexico City is expected to welcome thousands of fans from Colombia for their game against Uzbekistan, and the Mexican national team play their third and final Group A game there against Czech Republic on June 24.

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