Fans cheer during the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City on June 30 (local time). Four people died during the celebrations that followed Mexico's victory, three of them from asphyxiation during a late-night street festival. [Reuters]
Fans cheer during the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City on June 30 (local time). Four people died during the celebrations that followed Mexico's victory, three of them from asphyxiation during a late-night street festival. [Reuters]

Four people died as an estimated 1.4 million revelers poured into the streets of Mexico City to celebrate the host nation's advance to the round of 16 at the 2026 North America World Cup.

Mexican health authorities said Tuesday (local time) that four people died during a massive street celebration in downtown Mexico City after the national team defeated Ecuador to secure a place in the knockout stage, the Associated Press reported.

The health ministry said on social media platform X that two women and one man were found unconscious near the Angel of Independence monument, a Mexico City landmark, on the night of June 30. The three — aged 48, 44 and 19 — are believed to have died of asphyxiation.

Health Minister Nadin Gasman said at a news conference that afternoon that a man in his 30s received emergency treatment after suffering an epileptic seizure, convulsions and gastrointestinal bleeding, but died in hospital shortly afterward.

Fans cheer during the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City on June 30 (local time). Four people died during the celebrations that followed Mexico's victory, three of them from asphyxiation during a late-night street festival. [Reuters]
Fans cheer during the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City on June 30 (local time). Four people died during the celebrations that followed Mexico's victory, three of them from asphyxiation during a late-night street festival. [Reuters]

Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32 at Mexico City Stadium on June 30, advancing to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 40 years.

Once the victory was confirmed, an estimated 1.4 million people flooded the Paseo de la Reforma — a 5-kilometer boulevard connecting the central Zocalo plaza and Chapultepec Park — to join the celebrations, according to authorities.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said at the time that more than 1 million people were already celebrating in the streets and urged residents to avoid heading downtown to ease congestion.

Mexico will next face England, who beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1, in Mexico City on Monday.


bbo@heraldcorp.com