Controversial Chants from Mexican Fans Could Spell Trouble for the Team

One of the World Cup co-hosts could face severe sanctions from FIFA. Mexico supporters went too far with their chants during the victory over Ecuador in the Round of 16. Some fans crossed the line, heard chanting the offensive word "puto," which in Spanish translates to a male prostitute. This chant, typically heard when the opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick, has caused problems for Mexico in the past, having been recorded at the last three World Cups in Brazil, Russia, and Qatar.

As reported by the Daily Mail, the Mexican Football Federation has attempted to curb the homophobic chant through appeals for cessation and educational programs, but these efforts appear to have been disregarded. Prior to the tournament, the federation launched a campaign aimed at stopping the chant. Members of Mexico's 1986 World Cup squad encouraged fans to do the "wave" but without uttering the offensive word.

Evidently, the campaign was unsuccessful, as fans were heard chanting the slur from the opening match of this year's tournament. Even before the start of the 2026 World Cup, Mexico had been sanctioned due to fans' use of the homophobic insult. The latest decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) pertained to chants during 2024 matches against Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, and the USA. Judges upheld FIFA-imposed fines totaling 140,000 Swiss francs ($178,000) but overturned the sanction of closing a section of a stadium during a FIFA-organized match, such as the World Cup.