Hundreds of Mexican fans gathered outside the Ecuador team hotel in Mexico City late on Monday night in an apparent attempt to disrupt the visitors’ preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup clash. The raucous crowd gathered shortly after midnight, creating an unrelenting atmosphere with drums, air horns, loudspeakers and chants intended to keep the Ecuadorian players awake ahead of one of their biggest matches of the tournament.
Mexican fans target the hotel of the Ecuador team
Videos widely shared on X show a large crowd stationed directly below the Ecuador team hotel, with supporters chanting, beating drums and honking car horns throughout the night. The atmosphere grew increasingly hostile as fans repeatedly chanted anti-Ecuadorian slogans, including “Ecuatorianos hijos de p*ta,” in an apparent attempt to disrupt the visiting team before kickoff.Several Ecuador players were seen looking out their hotel windows as the commotion continued into the early hours, while team officials monitored the situation.
Huge shares in Mexico City
The incident comes just hours before a high-pressure round of 32 in Mexico City’s stadium (Estadio Azteca), with a place in the Round of 16 on the line. Mexico have had an outstanding tournament so far, winning all three of their group stage games without conceding a goal under coach Javier Aguirre. Ecuador, meanwhile, bounced back from a difficult start to the competition by producing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, eliminating Germany to reach the knockout stage. The winner of Tuesday’s match will advance to the Round of 16, where England or DR Congo await.
