A Mexican soccer fan reacts during the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Mexico recorded a historic 2-0 win over Ecuador to qualify for the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, but celebrations at the Estadio Azteca may be overshadowed by the prospect of disciplinary action after controversial “Puto” chants were again heard from local support sections.
The chant, which has repeatedly led to sanctions against the Mexican Football Federation over the past decade, resurfaced during the knockout win, despite years of awareness campaigns and previous FIFA sanctions aimed at stamping it out.
Familiar controversy overshadowed Mexico’s historic victory
Mexico booked its place in the round of 16 after defeating Ecuador 2-0 at the famous Estadio Azteca, ending a 40-year wait for a knockout win on home soil. Goals from Julián Quiñones and Raul Jimenez ensured Javier Aguirre’s side remained in top-flight competition, extending their record to four straight victories without conceding a single goal. In doing so, Mexico also became the first country since Italy in the 1990 World Cup to win its first four matches in the tournament without allowing a goal.
Mexican Julian Quiñones, 16, celebrates with his teammates after the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
The result also confirmed a tough round-of-16 clash with England, after coach Thomas Tuchel’s side came from behind to beat Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 later on Wednesday thanks to a late brace from Harry Kane.
The two teams will now meet at the Estadio Azteca on July 6 for a place in the quarter-finals. But amid the celebrations on the field, a recurring problem once again emerged from the stands.
Anti-gay chants are making a comeback despite years of campaigning
During the Ecuadorian goalkeeper’s kicks, parts of the Mexican crowd were heard chanting the one-word “puto,” a chant that literally translates to “male whore” in Spanish and has long been deemed discriminatory and homophobic by FIFA. This chant has repeatedly caused Mexican football to face disciplinary problems. She first came to the world’s attention during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil before resurfacing again during tournaments in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. The latest incident means she has now been heard at the Men’s World Cup for the fourth time in a row.
Fans celebrate with Mexican players after their team beats Ecuador in the FIFA World Cup round of 32 in Mexico City, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalán)
According to the Daily Mail, the Mexican Football Federation has spent years trying to eliminate cheering through supporter education initiatives and repeated appeals to fans, but those efforts have largely failed to eradicate it. Ahead of the 2026 tournament, the federation launched its latest awareness campaign, “La Ola Sí, El Grito No” (“The Wave Yes, The Chant No”), featuring members of Mexico’s 1986 World Cup national team to encourage fans to perform the Mexican wave instead of shouting offensive chants.
Despite these efforts, the chant was said to have been heard since Mexico’s opening match of the tournament, and then reappeared during the win over Ecuador.
Previous sanctions may influence FIFA’s reaction
Mexico’s governing body has already faced major disciplinary action over similar incidents. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled on disciplinary measures taken by FIFA in relation to chants heard during international matches against Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil and the United States in 2024. According to CAS, anti-discrimination monitors documented incidents before FIFA imposed fines totaling 140,000 Swiss francs (about $178,000 or £130,457).
While the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the financial penalties, it overturned an additional penalty that required part of the stadium to be closed during a competition organized by FIFA. In its written decision, the Court of Arbitration for Sport acknowledged that the Mexican Football Federation argued that it had implemented educational programs since 2015 aimed at preventing and eliminating cheering. However, the court concluded that these mitigation efforts were insufficient.
“They noted that the behavior of the fans was collective and widespread, and was not just a one-off event,” the Court of Arbitration for Sport said in its ruling. These incidents were also detected by the same anti-discrimination monitoring system operating throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, the United States and Canada, meaning FIFA can once again review the latest reports before deciding whether disciplinary action is warranted. Sports journalist Matt Slater of The Athletic argued that financial penalties alone did not solve the problem.
“On the one hand, FIFA fines are not effective. “But, on the other hand, we cannot allow some Mexican fans to continue shouting homophobic remarks every time the goalkeeper kicks it. “Self-monitoring by fans is the best way to fix this… now would be a good time to start.” Mexico’s attention has now turned back to the field, with a high-profile round of 16 match against England awaiting them, but whether FIFA opens another disciplinary case following the events at the Azteca Stadium could become an unwelcome distraction as the hosts continue their World Cup campaign.
