The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, led the official presentation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in an extraordinary session from the Los Pinos Cultural Complex, marking the countdown to the event. The president reiterated the historic importance of Mexico City hosting the opening match on June 11, 2026 at the Azteca Stadium.

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With this, Mexico will consolidate itself as the first country in the history of the competition to host a World Cup and host the opening game for the third time since the beginning of the tournament in 1930.

The head of the Federal Executive stressed that the World Cup will be a showcase to show the world the wealth of the nation beyond sports. “It is time to see the best soccer and share with the world what we are, a country not only with cultural greatness, but with an empowered people,” Sheinbaum said.

As part of the strategy to integrate the entire country into the celebration, the president announced the parallel holding of “Mundialitos” that will include children, young people, the elderly and people with disabilities.

According to projections announced by the president, the World Cup is expected to attract a visit of 5.5 million people, underscoring the magnitude of the event’s tourism and economic impact. The head of the Ministry of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, also present at the event, stressed that Mexico has all the capabilities to guarantee that this is an unforgettable sporting event. “There are 213 days left to live that great moment that will put us on the international public agenda,” the official emphasized.

Secretary Rodríguez emphasized the vast historical heritage of the country, pointing out the pre-Columbian wealth that, since ancient times, practiced the ritual of the ball game. The government of President Sheinbaum, she said, is preparing to turn the World Cup into a great party that will spread through the streets, squares and communities throughout the country. The Ministry of the Interior is coordinating all the agencies to guarantee a fluid organization.

In addition to the matches in the three host cities (Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara), a public agenda will be developed that transcends football, including multiple cultural and gastronomic activities. “Mexico has enormous potential for this sporting event to be an unforgettable event for everyone, for the fans, for women, girls, boys, young people, the elderly,” said the Secretary of the Interior, inviting concord.

“The World Cup will also be a moment to recognize the friendship and union between the three peoples and recognize the importance of our trade agreement,” said the Mexican president in reference to the union between the United States, Mexico and Canada, beyond a moment of difference.

In this sense, the person in charge of the country’s domestic policy promised that visitors will be able to enjoy the vast and rich Mexican gastronomy, highlighting emblematic dishes from tacos, birria and pozole, to goat, mole, cochinita and zacahuil. This comprehensive approach seeks to make the 2026 FIFA World Cup a celebration of global unity, showcasing Mexico’s hospitality and culture to the world

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