Mexico's fans celebrate after Hirving Lozano scored a goal during the international friendly soccer match between Mexico and Iceland at the AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas, on May 29, 2021. (ANDY JACOBSOHN / AFP)

Mexico fans will be barred from attending their country’s first two home 2022 World Cup qualifiers after making homophobic chants during two Olympic qualifying games in March, FIFA said in a statement on Friday.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee also fined Mexico’s Football Federation (FMF) 60,000 Swiss francs (US$65,118.30) for chants from supporters during games against the Dominican Republic on March 18 and the United States on March 24.

Mexico’s Football Federation President Yon de Luisa said there is a risk to Mexico’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup - which they are set to co-host with the United States and Canada - if fan behavior does not improve

Mexico’s games against Jamaica on Sept 2 and Canada on Oct 7 in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying will be played in empty stadiums as a result of the sanctions.

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“I hope this is the first and last sanction that FIFA imposes,” FMF President Yon de Luisa said at a news conference.

FIFA has also launched a separate investigation against the FMF in relation to homophobic chants by Mexico fans during a friendly against Iceland in Arlington, Texas on May 29.

De Luisa said there is a risk to Mexico’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup - which they are set to co-host with the United States and Canada - if fan behavior does not improve.

“How can we host a World Cup if we are going to have our stadiums empty? If we don’t stop now, the consequences for Mexican football could be devastating,” he added.

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