Anti-gay slur chanted by Mexico fans during Czechia match draws scrutiny
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Anti-gay rhetoric by Mexican fans could lead to FIFA taking disciplinary action against the squad of one of the countries that will host the 2026 World Cup.
There were at least three instances of anti-gay slurs being uttered by fans during Mexico’s 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Wednesday night.
This particular chant has resulted in play being stopped and even Mexico being fined in past matches. However, officials allowed the game to continue, even though it could be heard throughout the crowd.
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Mexican fans hold letters spelling out “Mexico” as they cheer during the 2026 World Cup Group A match between the Czech Republic and Mexico at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 24, 2026. (Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty Images)
The chant was directed at the opposing goalkeeper, and although FIFA fans tried to stop it, it returned on Wednesday night.
It is now up to FIFA to potentially re-discipline Mexico, who have made a solid start to the tournament.
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During the 2018 World Cup, FIFA demonstrated that it would discipline a country for the actions of its fans. They followed Mexico’s example, with fans chanting the same chant during the victory over Germany. The team was eventually fined by FIFA for this chant.
Discipline worked, at least in the short term. The chant was not used in Mexico’s next match against South Korea that year. However, during the 2019 Gold Cup the chant returned and fans were urged to stop.
Mexico’s Alvaro Fidalgo celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match against the Czech Republic at Mexico City Stadium on June 24, 2026. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)
CONCACAF stepped in and issued a statement calling the slogan “offensive,” but it was returned during the team’s match against the United States. Mexico won the Gold Cup that year, but FIFA moved quickly to update its disciplinary code, under which officials now have a three-step procedure to respond to “discriminatory incidents”.
This procedure began with stopping the game until the chants stopped, and if that did not work, the game would be suspended. If it then reaches level three, the match is canceled entirely.
The Mexican Football Federation also tried to stop the chants. The football organization released two videos in 2021; one of them called the chant “discriminatory”, while the other showed prominent Mexican players telling fans not to use the chant going forward. The messages also included threats of expulsion of those who started or initiated the chant.
Mexico’s head coach Javier Aguirre watches the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match between Mexico and the Republic of Korea at Guadalajara Stadium on June 18, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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Despite all attempts, it is clear that the Mexican fan base does not want to listen. So the ball is once again in FIFA’s court to see if they can discipline the team.
The Mexican Football Federation was previously fined $65,000 by FIFA, while the team was forced to play two World Cup qualifying matches in an empty stadium.
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