Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 in a landmark game to reach the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, but the celebrations at the Azteca Stadium may be overshadowed by possible disciplinary action after home fans heard the controversial “puto” chant again. The slogan, which has led to the Mexican Football Federation being sanctioned on several occasions over the past decade, resurfaced during the knockout victory despite years of promotional campaigns by FIFA and previous penalties against the slogan.
Mexico’s historic victory overshadowed by familiar controversies
Mexico sealed their place in the last 16 with a 2-0 win over Ecuador at the iconic Estadio Azteca, ending a 40-year wait for victory in the knockout stages of the World Cup on home soil. Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez ensured Javier Aguirre’s side continued their excellent league run, extending their run to four consecutive wins without conceding a goal. As a result, Mexico became the first country since Italy in the 1990 World Cup to not concede a goal in the opening four games of the World Cup.
Mexico’s Julian Quinones (16) celebrates with teammates after the World Cup round of 32 football match between Mexico and Ecuador, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Thomas Tuchel’s side beat DR Congo 2-1 late on Wednesday thanks to Harry Kane’s late brace, with the result later confirming a blockbuster last-16 clash with England. The two countries will face off at the Estadio Azteca on July 6 for a spot in the quarter-finals. However, amid the celebrations inside the stadium, a recurring issue emerged in the stands once again.
Despite years of campaign, homophobic slogans return
During the Ecuador goalkeeper’s kick-off, parts of the Mexican crowd chanted the word “puto,” a chant that literally means “male prostitute” in Spanish and has long been considered discriminatory and homophobic by FIFA. The chant has repeatedly caused disciplinary issues in Mexican football. It first came to the world’s attention during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, then again during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and 2022 in Qatar. The latest incident means it has now been heard at the men’s World Cup for the fourth time in a row.
Fans celebrate with Mexican players after Mexico’s victory over Ecuador in the World Cup round of 32 football match on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
The Mexican Football Federation has tried for years to stamp out the chant through supporter education initiatives and repeated appeals to fans, but those efforts have largely failed to eradicate it, the Daily Mail reported. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the federation has launched its latest campaign, “La Ola SÃ, El Grito No” (“The Wave Yes, The Chant No”), in which members of Mexico’s 1986 World Cup squad encourage supporters to perform Mexican waves rather than shout offensive chants. Despite these efforts, the chant has reportedly been heard since Mexico’s World Cup opener and reappeared during their win over Ecuador.
Previous sanctions may have affected FIFA’s response
Mexico’s governing body is already facing significant disciplinary action over similar incidents. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled on FIFA’s disciplinary proceedings over chants heard at international matches against Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil and the United States in 2024. According to CAS, the anti-discrimination ombudsman documented the incidents and FIFA subsequently imposed fines totaling 140,000 Swiss francs (approximately $178,000 or £130,457). While CAS upheld the financial penalty, it overturned an additional sanction that required some stadiums to be closed during matches organized by FIFA. CAS acknowledged in its written decision that the Mexican Football Federation claimed to have been implementing an educational program since 2015 aimed at preventing and eliminating such chants. However, the court concluded that these mitigation measures were insufficient. “They observed that the fans’ behavior was collective and widespread and not just a one-off incident,” CAS said in its ruling. The incidents were also discovered by the same anti-discrimination monitoring system running in Mexico, the United States and Canada during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning FIFA can review the latest reports again before deciding whether disciplinary action is required. Matt Slater, a sports reporter for “The Athletic,” believes that financial sanctions alone will not solve the problem. “On the one hand, FIFA fines don’t work. “But, on the other hand, we can’t have some Mexican fans constantly screaming anti-gay slurs every time the OPPO goalkeeper kicks the ball. “Self-policing by fans is the best way to address this issue… now is a good time to start.” Mexico now turns its attention back to the pitch ahead of a high-profile last-16 tie against England, but whether FIFA will bring disciplinary proceedings again following the incident at the Estadio Azteca could become an unwelcome distraction as co-hosts Mexico continue their World Cup campaign.
