Mexican fans blast horns outside Ecuador's hotel, fueling a sleepless World Cup eve

Ahead of Tuesday’s Round of 32 match in Mexico City, Mexican fans disrupted Ecuador’s rest outside their hotel, turning World Cup eve into a sleepless night. From midnight into the early hours, dozens of supporters gathered outside the Westin Hotel in Santa Fe, using loudspeakers, horns, and motorcycles to disturb the visiting team. The noise campaign—organized via social media—followed a tradition in Latin American soccer that has grown into a tactic aimed at disrupting opponents’ sleep. The incident compounded Ecuador’s already difficult logistics after a planned Monday night arrival intended to reduce Mexico City’s 2,200-meter altitude impact. Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece said the flight was delayed by more than three hours, extending a scheduled nine-hour journey. Ecuador landed at Felipe Ángeles International Airport, 65 km from the hotel, then faced heavy traffic intensified by Monday night rain.