Home / Series / DW Documentaries / Aired Order / Season 2026 / Episode 89

In the shadow of the World Cup - Mexican families search for their loved ones

It's World Cup season in Mexico - yet the spectacle can't hide a dark reality in the country. Over 100,000 people are still listed missing. It's believed many of them have been murdered. As a World Cup host city, Guadalajara is keen to show it’s modern and safe. Yet just a stone's throw from the stadiums lie the mass graves of murder victims. While authorities laud the festive atmosphere and the security measures, locals know these are focused only where the world is watching. Just out of view, daily life is still shaped by fears of kidnapping and enforced disappearances. This documentary follows a women's soccer coach, an activist and a father whose daughter was abducted. Ever since 2022, when armed men abducted Yessenia from her home, Miguel has been searching for his daughter. For years, alongside raising her young son, he's devoted everything he has to finding answers. Today, he is running out of strength and the financial resources to continue.

English
  • Originally Aired June 23, 2026
  • Runtime 26 minutes
  • Network Deutsche Welle TV
  • Created October 10, 2026 by
    andresflower
  • Modified October 10, 2026 by
    andresflower