Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match.
Under the special administrative order, classes are suspended at every educational level from kindergartens to universities across the capital, including both public and private institutions.
The president also announced that federal government employees must switch to remote work on the day, while private companies have been urged to actively implement teleworking arrangements for non-essential sectors.
Sheinbaum explained that these measures are designed to ensure the World Cup opening ceremony proceeds without traffic congestion or chaos on the opening day of the tournament.
Mexico City students will get an unexpected day off as the government acts to minimize traffic on the day Mexico plays the World Cup opener against South Africa.
The opening match is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, at the historic Estadio Azteca stadium in Mexico City, where the host nation will face South Africa.
The Mexican government expects this decision to aid the convenience of movement for citizens and tourists while ensuring road safety during the World Cup opener.
These special mobility measures apply only on the day of the opening match and only to the capital, and are framed entirely around easing traffic rather than creating a formal public holiday.
Healthcare professionals, security personnel, critical infrastructure workers, and those involved in World Cup operations are not affected by Sheinbaum’s order.
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