A car has injured 17 football fans celebrating Mexico’s World Cup win after ploughing into a crowd in the resort city of Cabo San Lucas. The incident happened on Wednesday evening, June 24, 2026, as jubilant supporters filled the streets following Mexico’s 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic – a result that secured top spot in their group and a place in the round of 32.
Circumstances of the ramming
Witness footage posted online shows a black car being surrounded by fans, with some pressing against its windows and front bonnet. Los Cabos City Council said the vehicle was obstructed by people blocking its passage and exerting physical pressure, which led to the driver suddenly accelerating. The car then rammed into the crowd before attempting to drive away. Other footage appears to show the vehicle crashing into bollards after hitting the crowd, and further clips capture members of the crowd pulling a person from the car and attacking them. The driver was arrested at the scene and received medical attention before being taken into custody.
The incident took place on Lázaro Cárdenas Boulevard, a main road in the popular tourist destination of Cabo San Lucas, which sits at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in the state of Baja California Sur. City officials said several cars appeared to be blocked in as hundreds of fans in green Mexico shirts celebrated in the streets shortly before 9.45pm local time.
World Cup celebrations and context
Mexico’s victory in their final group-stage match of the 2026 World Cup was sealed by a team including striker Raúl Jiménez, who scored his first goal of the tournament in the opening match against South Africa. Jiménez has represented Mexico at multiple World Cups, including 2014, 2018 and 2022, and the win over the Czech Republic confirmed the team’s progress to the expanded round of 32. The celebrations in Cabo San Lucas, known for its beaches, scuba diving and marine life, were typical of the scenes seen across Mexican cities after the final whistle.
Aftermath and official response
All 17 injured – including the driver – were taken to local hospitals and are in a stable condition. No fatalities have been recorded. Alberto Rentería Santana, general secretary of Los Cabos City Council, said investigations are ongoing. Acting mayor José Manuel Larumbe expressed solidarity with the affected individuals and their families. The Mexican Football Federation also released a statement wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
Cabo San Lucas is generally considered safe for tourists, with a visible police and military presence in popular areas such as the Marina, Medano Beach and the Hotel Corridor. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 2 travel advisory for Mexico – the same level as many European destinations – though Baja California Sur is not specifically included. Violent crime against tourists is reported to be low, although authorities advise visitors to stick to well-lit, well-populated areas at night. Drowning remains the leading cause of non-natural tourist deaths in the region, with many beaches unsafe for swimming due to strong currents. Recent security incidents near San José del Cabo International Airport have prompted calls for continued vigilance, particularly around transport hubs.
