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An anti-gay slur that has been chanted by Mexico fans could lead to a FIFA sanction for the team of one of the host countries at the 2026 World Cup.
There were at least three instances during Mexico’s 3-0 win over Czechia on Wednesday night in which fans chanted the anti-gay slur.
This specific chant has caused interruptions in play during previous matches and has even resulted in fines for Mexico. However, the referees allowed the game to continue despite it being heard in the crowd.
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Mexican fans hold letters spelling “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 is directed at the opposing goalkeeper and although FIFA tried to get fans to stop it, it returned on Wednesday night.
Now, it’s up to FIFA to try to discipline Mexico again amid a strong 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. It was Mexico they gave an example of, as fans performed the same chant during a victory over Germany. The team was eventually fined by FIFA for the chant.
The discipline worked, at least in the short term. In Mexico’s next match against South Korea that year, the chant was not used. However, during the 2019 Gold Cup, the chant returned and fans were urged to stop.
Álvaro Fidalgo of Mexico celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match against Czechia at the Mexico City Stadium on June 24, 2026. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)
CONCACAF intervened and issued a statement calling the chant “offensive,” but it reappeared during the team’s match against the United States. Mexico ended up winning the Gold Cup that year, but FIFA moved quickly to update its disciplinary code, where officials now had a three-step procedure for responding to “discriminatory incidents.”
That procedure began with stopping the game until the chanting stopped, and if that didn’t help, the game was suspended. Then, if it reaches level three, the match will be abandoned completely.
The Mexican Soccer Federation also tried to stop the chants. In 2021, the soccer organization released two videos, one calling the chant “discriminatory,” while the other showed prominent Mexican players telling fans not to use the chant in the future. The messages also threatened the expulsion of those who started or participated in the chant.
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre watches before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match between Mexico and Korea Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 18, 2026. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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Despite all attempts, it is clear that Mexico’s fan base does not want to listen. So, the ball is back in FIFA’s court to see if they will 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.
