Protesters in Mexico rallied outside Guadalajara Stadium during the World Cup, over Korean automaker and FIFA sponsor Hyundai's partnership with South American steel supplier Ternium.
According to The Guardian, Ternium has repeatedly been accused of polluting local communities across South America, and for alleged links to the disappearance of Mexican activists who had protested against the company's mining activities. A 2024 report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air also alleged that a Ternium steel plant in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was responsible for the "devastating emission of pollutants," tied to 300 new cases of asthma in children, and numerous deaths from respiratory infections, lung cancer, diabetes and strokes.
Hyundai is FIFA's official "mobility sponsor" for the World Cup, providing transportation for players, referees and other officials throughout the tournament. Ternium operates as a tier 1 steel supplier for a range of Hyundai and Kia models across North and South America.
Protesters who gathered during Mexico's Group A match against South Korea on June 18 accused Hyundai of hiding a "dirty supply chain," and called on the automaker to hold Ternium responsible for alleged human rights violations. Organizers pointed to the disappearance of two men in Guadalajara in 2023, after they had attended an anti-mining community meeting in Mexico's town of Aquila. Eyewitnesses at the time reported that the two activists had been threatened and followed by several men in cars after leaving the meeting. The car the activists were traveling in was later found riddled with bullets and abandoned on the side of a highway.
In a statement to The Guardian, Ternium denied any involvement with the disappearances, and expressed "solidarity with the families of the missing men." A spokesperson with Hyundai said that the company is "committed to holding our suppliers to the highest standards, and we enforce a strict supplier code of conduct."
"We and our affiliates continue to conduct ongoing training, audits, and supply chain due diligence to identify and address potential issues across our global operations," the spokesperson added.
Organizers are planning additional protests against Hyundai in the coming days, including a July 9 demonstration ahead of a World Cup quarterfinal match in Los Angeles, California.
