Teachers in Mexico have threatened to embark on a nationwide strike during the 2026 FIFA World Cup if the government fails to meet demands for wage increases and pension reforms, raising fears of widespread disruption during one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

The warning was issued by the National Coordinating Committee of Education Workers, popularly known as CNTE, which described its demands as “non-negotiable.”

Mexico is due to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, with the tournament scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. The opening match between the Mexico national football team and the South Africa national football team will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

The proposed industrial action would overlap with Mexico’s school calendar and could place additional pressure on authorities already preparing for the logistical demands of the expanded 48-team tournament.

In a statement released during nationwide demonstrations marking Teacher’s Day, the CNTE said it was fighting not only for educators but for all workers facing economic hardship and uncertain retirement conditions.

“The fight isn’t just for teachers; it’s for all workers whose right to a dignified retirement is threatened today,” the union declared during marches in Mexico City, where thousands of teachers carried banners and placards through the capital.

The union is demanding improved salaries, greater job security and pension guarantees that would ensure dignified retirement conditions for public workers. It also renewed criticism of the controversial 2007 ISSSTE law, which restructured pension arrangements for state employees and remains a major source of conflict between labour groups and the government.

The dispute intensified earlier this month after the Ministry of Public Education announced plans to end the school year early by moving the closing date from July 15 to June 5. Officials cited an extraordinary heat wave and scheduling concerns linked to the World Cup.

However, the proposal sparked backlash from teachers’ unions and parents’ associations, forcing authorities to reverse the decision.

Teacher protests have become a recurring challenge in Mexico. Last year, demonstrations over wages briefly disrupted operations at Benito Juarez International Airport, while the government later announced a 10 per cent salary increase and an additional week of vacation for educators.

Despite those concessions, union leaders insist that deeper structural reforms are required and say the looming World Cup provides an opportunity to draw international attention to long-standing grievances within Mexico’s education system.

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World Cup-bound Democratic Republic of the Congo has been hit by a fresh Ebola outbreak after the World Health Organisation declared the spread of the deadly virus in the country and neighbouring Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following dozens of suspected deaths and confirmed infections.

The WHO announced on Sunday that the outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has so far resulted in 80 suspected deaths, nine laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected infections, mainly in the eastern Congolese province of Ituri.

According to the UN health agency, the outbreak has spread across at least three health zones — Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu — while a ninth confirmed case was reported in the eastern city of Goma.

The development has raised fresh concerns ahead of the FIFA World Cup, with DR Congo among the African nations preparing for the global tournament.

The WHO, however, said the outbreak does not yet qualify as a pandemic emergency, although countries sharing borders with the DRC face a high risk of further transmission.

“This outbreak is extraordinary,” the WHO stated, noting that, unlike the more common Ebola-Zaire strain, there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo virus.

Health authorities fear the actual scale of the outbreak could be significantly larger because of the increasing number of suspected infections and the high positivity rate from initial laboratory samples.

The WHO also confirmed that cases of international spread have already been documented.

In Kampala, Uganda’s capital, two unrelated laboratory-confirmed infections — including one death — were detected among travellers arriving from the DRC.

Another confirmed case was reported in Kinshasa involving a traveller returning from Ituri province.

The agency advised countries to immediately activate emergency response mechanisms, intensify cross-border screening and strengthen surveillance along major transport routes.

The WHO urged strict isolation of confirmed cases and daily monitoring of contacts, warning that exposed persons should not undertake international travel for at least 21 days unless medically evacuated.

Despite the growing concern, the WHO advised against border closures or travel bans, warning that such measures could encourage unofficial and unmonitored crossings.

The Ebola virus, first identified in the DRC in 1976, spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated materials or deceased victims. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe body weakness, and the disease is frequently fatal.

Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said the continental health body was considering whether to declare the outbreak a public health emergency of continental security.

The outbreak is the 17th recorded Ebola epidemic in the DRC, whose dense tropical forests remain one of the natural reservoirs of the virus.

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Iraq coach Graham Arnold said on Saturday he expects his side ​to show a trademark “fighting mentality” at next month’s ‌World Cup after qualifying for the finals for the first time since 1986.

Iraq secured the last berth in the ​expanded 48-team tournament with a win over ​Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff final in ⁠Mexico in April. The finals will be held ​in North America.

Drawn in Group I alongside Norway, France ​and Senegal, Arnold described the pool as “the toughest group in the World Cup”.

“We work together as a family, and we ​go to the World Cup believing we can ​make Iraq proud,” Arnold told reporters.

Iraq open their campaign against ‌Norway ⁠on June 16 before facing 2022 runners-up France on June 22 and Senegal four days later.

“Norway is our first focus, and we are getting ready ​for that game. ​Then we ⁠face the best team in the world, France — it will be a great ​experience,” Arnold said.

“What I expect from ​the ⁠Iraqi boys is that Iraqi mentality of fighting — we fight for every minute.”

Ranked 57th in the world, the ⁠2007 ​Asian champions will continue their ​preparations with friendlies against Andorra in Girona on May 29 and ​Spain on June 4.

-Reuters