Mexico Football Team Relocates Hotel Ahead of Gold Cup Match Amid Protests

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina — The Mexican national football team is changing its hotel in Los Angeles before their Gold Cup match against the Dominican Republic on Saturday due to safety concerns amid protests against immigration raids in the city. A team spokesperson confirmed the decision on Tuesday.

The team, led by coach Javier Aguirre, initially booked a hotel in downtown Los Angeles. However, after discussions with the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the team will now stay at a hotel in Long Beach to avoid potential conflict in the city center.

Recent protests in Los Angeles erupted after federal immigration authorities arrested over 40 individuals, intensifying tensions throughout the city. Demonstrators blocked major roads and set several vehicles ablaze as police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

In response to the escalating situation, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles on Monday.

Coach Aguirre was reluctant to address the protests during a press conference in Chapel Hill, where the team is scheduled to play an exhibition match against Turkey. “I will not speak about Los Angeles. This is a sports issue, and right now, I cannot express myself,” Aguirre said. “We know what we see on television, but we are thousands of kilometers away and cannot comment.”

Following their match against the Dominican Republic, Mexico will fly to Arlington, Texas, for a game against Suriname, and conclude the first round of the tournament against Costa Rica in Las Vegas.