Mexico advanced to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, breaking a 40-year tournament curse, but three people died of asphyxiation in the capital Mexico City as crowds gathered to celebrate.
Mexico City health authorities said early Monday that three residents died of asphyxiation as crowds packed the area near the "Angel of Independence," a downtown landmark, according to Reuters and other outlets.
The health authorities announced on social media that "CPR was performed on a 44-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman who collapsed from asphyxiation, but they ultimately died." A 48-year-old woman who received emergency treatment for asphyxiation symptoms on a nearby street and was transported to a hospital was also ultimately pronounced dead.
Mexico's national football team defeated Ecuador 2-0 in their round-of-32 match at the Mexico City stadium, combining a goal and an assist from Julian Quinones with an additional goal from Raul Jimenez.
Mexico City was gripped by joy at the news of the historic tournament victory, the first in 40 years since the 1986 tournament held in the country. The Mexico City government estimated the crowd gathered around the venue at the time of the accident at more than 1 million people.
Videos of paramedics rushing to treat collapsed residents, amid cheers and chants continuing across the streets, were quickly shared on social media.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the victims on X, urging people to "always celebrate with responsibility and consideration."
Meanwhile, Mexico's national team will compete for a spot in the quarterfinals on the 6th against the winner of the match between England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the same venue. Of its five matches through the round of 16, Mexico played four at the Mexico City stadium — all except its Group A second match against South Korea, held at the Guadalajara stadium in the country — fully enjoying its advantage as host nation.
