Mexico's national football team faces renewed scrutiny from FIFA after an anti-gay chant, frequently used by its supporters, was heard again during a recent match. This development could lead to disciplinary action against one of the co-host nations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
During Mexico's 3-0 victory over Czechia on Wednesday night, the offensive chant reportedly occurred at least three times. Despite its historical association with match stoppages and penalties, officials permitted play to continue without interruption, even as the chant resonated through the stadium. The chant is specifically aimed at the opposing team's goalkeeper.
History of Sanctions and FIFA's Stance
FIFA has previously taken measures against Mexico for similar fan behavior. A notable instance occurred during the 2018 World Cup, where Mexico was fined after its supporters used the chant during a match against Germany. This disciplinary action appeared effective in the short term, as the chant was not heard during Mexico's subsequent game against South Korea that year.
However, the chant reappeared during the 2019 Gold Cup, prompting appeals for fans to cease. CONCACAF, the region's football governing body, issued a statement condemning the chant as "offensive." Following its use in a match against the United States during the same tournament, FIFA moved to strengthen its disciplinary framework. The updated code introduced a three-step protocol for responding to "discriminatory incidents."
This procedure begins with stopping play until the chanting ceases. If the issue persists, the match is to be suspended. In the most severe cases, reaching the third level, the game would be abandoned entirely.
Mexican Football Federation's Efforts
The Mexican Football Federation has also implemented its own strategies to combat the problematic chants. In 2021, the organization released two videos. One explicitly labeled the chant as "discriminatory," while the other featured prominent Mexican players urging fans to refrain from using it in future matches. These public service announcements also warned that individuals initiating or participating in the chant faced ejection from stadiums.
Despite these persistent efforts by both international and national football bodies, the issue continues to plague Mexican football. The fan base, it appears, has not fully heeded these warnings and calls for change.
Prior to these specific policy updates, the Mexican Football Federation had faced a $65,000 fine from FIFA. Additionally, the national team was compelled to play two World Cup qualifying matches in empty stadiums as a consequence of fan behavior.
With the chant's recent reemergence, the responsibility now falls back on FIFA to determine its next course of action regarding potential discipline for Mexico, especially as the team navigates a strong start to its current tournament campaign.