The Fare network, FIFA's official anti-discrimination partner that has deployed human monitors to every World Cup match during the 2026 tournament, submitted multiple reports regarding incidents involving Mexico's national team matches to soccer's world governing body on Thursday.
The reports were filed following repeated use of an anti-gay chant by Mexican fans during key fixtures, including the team's last-16 match against England and its final group stage game against Czechia. The Mexican national team played all World Cup matches at home venues in Mexico City and Guadalajara.
Piara Powar, executive director of the Fare network, declined to specify what incidents were alleged in the reports when speaking with POLITICO. FIFA declined to comment on any specific report Friday, while an inquiry sent to the Mexican Football Federation's press inbox went unanswered.
The potential subject of disciplinary action centers on a chant commonly known as "El Grito," which involves fans emitting a prolonged "ehhhhh" as the opposing goalkeeper prepares for a goal kick before shouting "puto" — a Spanish term listed as a homophobic slur in the Fare network's global guide to discriminatory practices in soccer.
FIFA said in a statement that potential incidents are handled by its judicial bodies in line with relevant regulations and match reports, taking into account specific circumstances at stake. Whether these reports will result in penalties remains unclear, according to Powar, who noted that sanctions typically follow investigations and hearings conducted after the World Cup concludes.
What the Left Is Saying
Human rights advocates have praised FIFA's continued monitoring efforts as essential to creating inclusive environments at major tournaments. Organizations focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports argue that enforcement of anti-discrimination policies sends a clear message that hateful conduct will not be tolerated, regardless of cultural traditions or fan traditions.
"It's not the case that this culture is fixed or that you can't change it into a more positive direction," Powar said, emphasizing that meaningful change remains possible even for deeply embedded practices. Supporters of strict enforcement contend that repeated fines and potential stadium closures represent appropriate consequences for discriminatory behavior at international competitions.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics of aggressive anti-discrimination enforcement argue that cultural contexts should be considered before imposing Western standards on fan traditions in other countries. Some observers suggest that educational campaigns and gradual cultural shifts may prove more effective than financial penalties alone.
The Mexican Football Federation has previously attempted to combat the chant's use, including a 2018 campaign featuring national team forward Javier Hernández urging fans to stop using the slur during FIFA's investigation of its earlier World Cup usage. Ahead of the 2026 tournament, the federation launched an initiative encouraging fans to replace the chant with a traditional stadium wave — a practice that traces its origins to Mexico's 1986 World Cup hosting.
What the Numbers Show
The Mexican Football Federation has faced multiple sanctions from FIFA over discriminatory practices at games over the past decade. Previous punishments for similar incidents have ranged from six-figure fines to forced matches behind closed doors with no spectators present, according to documented disciplinary records.
El Grito emerged during Mexico's 2014 World Cup campaign and has persisted through subsequent tournaments despite federation efforts. The chant was audible during broadcasts of both flagged matches at the current tournament, indicating continued fan use despite ongoing disciplinary proceedings.
The Bottom Line
FIFA's judicial bodies will now review the Fare network reports following the conclusion of the World Cup tournament. Investigations typically precede hearings before any potential penalties are announced, meaning final decisions on sanctions may not come for several weeks.
The Mexican Football Federation faces the prospect of additional financial penalties or matches played in empty stadiums as soccer's global governing body continues its effort to eliminate discriminatory behavior from international competitions. The outcome could set precedent for how FIFA handles fan conduct at future tournaments.