Mexico City is preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026, an event that is expected to welcome more than 5 million people who will enjoy various matches at the renovated Estadio Azteca. This venue will reopen its doors on March 28, 2026, to kick off this important world competition, which will visit the capital of the country for the third time in its history.
The head of government, Clara Brugada, announced the "World Cup City" project 400 days before the tournament begins. Among the highlighted initiatives is the installation of the FIFA Fan Fest in the Zocalo of Mexico City. This space will host live broadcasts of the matches, sports areas for citizens to play football, and activities related to the event.
Additionally, the establishment of a new public transport system, the 'Centrobus,' is planned to circulate through the Historic Center of the capital. More electric transportation means will also be integrated in the areas surrounding Estadio Azteca, located next to the Calzada de Tlalpan, which will feature a new bike lane and a floating crosswalk to facilitate access.
During the 2026 World Cup, the Zocalo of Mexico City will be the venue for the FIFA Fan Fest, an event that will offer live broadcasts of the matches, hospitality areas, football game zones, concerts, and an immersive exhibition about the sport. In this square, an attempt will be made to establish a Guinness World Record for the Largest Football Class in the World, and the planning of the Largest Wave in the World, which will reach Estadio Azteca, is underway.
To improve mobility, the 'La Gran Tenochtitlan' bike lane will be installed on the Calzada de Tlalpan, providing cyclists with a safe 34-kilometer route between Estadio Azteca and the Historic Center. Furthermore, the 'Mundialito' will be held, a competition in which more than 4,000 teams of children and young people from schools and neighborhoods in Mexico City will participate.
The capital government also plans to rehabilitate three Modal Transfer Centers for the FIFA World Cup 2026, where a semi-massive bike parking facility will be built. Citizen participation will be sought for the transformation of a space in the Coyoacan borough into 'Coyosauria,' a dinosaur-themed park requested by the neighbors.
As part of the World Cup, Football Festivals will be organized in the 16 boroughs of the city, with projections of all matches and free cultural, sports, and recreational activities. Urban lighting and improvements will extend along 62 kilometers on major avenues, in addition to the implementation of a new Light Rail Line and a Trolebus to improve the connectivity of the population during the sporting event.
