FIFA World Cup 2026 celebrations turn fatal in Mexico as three die of suffocation after El Tri advance into Round of 16
Three people died in Mexico City after the national team defeated Ecuador to reach the round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory.
At least three persons died of suffocation during mass celebrations after Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-2 in a round of 32 clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the early hours of Wednesday. The incident happened in Mexico City, near the Angel of Independence landmark, where uncountable number of supporters gathered to celebrate the victory.
The deaths were confirmed by the capital’s health secretariat. The authorities claimed that three unconscious people at three different locations around Paseo de la Reforma were found. They also informed that the streets around the capital’s most emblematic boulevard were closed for traffic for people to celebrate.
“After receiving advanced resuscitation efforts, the deaths of a 44-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman from suffocation have been confirmed,” the Mexican health authority reported on social media initially, according to a report at The Guardian. The third fatality was a 48-year-old women.
Quick answers to key questions
The fatalities during the celebrations were caused by suffocation, as at least three individuals were found unconscious amidst the massive crowd gathered to celebrate Mexico's victory.
The celebrations turned dangerous due to the large crowds gathered in confined spaces, leading to instances of suffocation as supporters celebrated Mexico's progression to the Round of 16.
Mexico secured a 2-0 victory against Ecuador in the round of 32 match, marking their first knockout win in over 40 years.
Yes, fans should always celebrate with responsibility, care, and empathy to prevent accidents and ensure everyone's safety during large gatherings.
Authorities have expressed condolences and urged everyone to celebrate responsibly, highlighting the need for safety measures during large public events.
She was treated for suffering asphyxiation at a nearly street and died after being taken to hospital, the secretariat said later in a post. Meanwhile, the Mexico City mayor, Clara Brugada, expressed condolences and urged everyone to “always celebrate with responsibility, care, and empathy”.
With a population of more than 20 million, Mexico City's metropolitan area is one of the most populous and is accustomed to host large celebrations.
What happened in Mexico vs Ecuador ?
Mexico came into the match on the back of three wins in the group stage. One of the co-hosts, Mexico are one of the three teams in the FIFA World Cup 2026 to enter the knockouts with an all-win record. Argentina and France were the two other teams.
On the other hand, Ecuador qualified for the Round of 32 after upsetting Germany 2-1 in their final group game. Meanwhile, Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory at the capital’s Estadio Azteca after first-half goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez ended Ecuador’s tournament run.
following the loss, Sebastián Beccacece stepped down as coach of Ecuador. The 45-year-old Beccacece was in charge for two years. He led Ecuador, which was making its fifth World Cup appearance, to the knockout round for just the second time after a memorable win over Germany.
“My contract has to end with the end of the World Cup. For us, we are leaving now,” Beccacece said. “I believe the dressing room is full of brotherhood. I’m taking the love, respect, commitment and admiration from the boys, from this group of warriors, the Ecuadorian national team.”
What's next for Mexico?
Next up for Mexico is either England or DR Congo who play their round of 32 clash on Thursday. England made it to the knockouts after topping Group L, while DR Congo, who finished third in Group K, qualified as the best third-placed team. If Mexico win their round of 16 match, they will either play Brazil or Norway in the quarterfinals.
Get all updates from FIFA World Cup 2026 here, along with FIFA World Cup 2026 Complete Schedule and FIFA World Cup 2026 Points Table.
About the Author
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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