In a historic event, the State of Mexico will host the farewell match for the National Team heading to the FIFA World Cup 2026. The match against Serbia will be held on June 4th at the Nemesio Diez Stadium, positioning the state as a protagonist in international football. Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez presented the "Estadio de México" strategy, emphasizing that this is an opportunity to show the world the hospitality and warmth of its people. "Destino Futbolero" also serves as a boost to the local economy by increasing activity in sectors such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, and commerce, while also generating jobs in logistics, security, and services. Complementarily, cultural, tourist, and community activities will be deployed throughout the State of Mexico, including fan zones in Magic Towns, fairs, markets, environmental activations, and sporting events, bringing the World Cup experience to thousands of families. In terms of security, special operations and technological tools such as facial recognition, expansion of the video surveillance system, and monitoring on strategic routes will be implemented, ensuring a safe experience for national and foreign visitors. Similarly, Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez declared the State of Mexico as the "World Capital of Animal Welfare", reinforcing actions such as the "The Best Play is to Adopt" program, in collaboration with the Deportivo Toluca Club, to promote care, adoption, and the protection of sentient beings. During the world championship, the Government of the State of Mexico will take advantage of the ball being in Mexican lands to further motivate children, youth, and families to practice more sports and participate in the activities of the Social World Cup promoted by the President of Mexico, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. As part of the social legacy of this strategy, the Government of the State of Mexico, through the Secretariat of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, promotes the Social World Cup in coordination with the Government of Mexico, fostering the participation of girls, boys, and youth through sports, with events such as the School World Cup, which has brought together over 200,000 participants. In his speech, the Commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation, Mikel Arriola Peñalosa, stated that to date the National Team has played 12 football matches, and of the remaining three, "the pinnacle of the preparation" will be in the city of Toluca thanks to the support of Governor Delfina Gómez Ávarez and her backing of football, as well as the National Team. Furthermore, he highlighted that the 2026 World Cup will unite North America, one of the most powerful and integrated regions in economic and commercial terms, which concentrates about 30% of the world's nominal GDP, with the world's largest sporting event by audience, allowing Mexico to project itself to over 6 billion viewers worldwide. With these actions, the State of Mexico consolidates itself as a world-class football destination, where sport becomes a motor for well-being, development, and social unity, leaving a lasting legacy for the people of the State of Mexico. "Destino Futbolero", a plan for mobility, infrastructure, security, tourism, and social development works that have already begun and will be permanent to improve the quality of life for families in the State of Mexico. As part of this strategy, the state government is promoting the reconstruction and modernization of roadways such as Periférico Norte, the Toluca-Tenango highway, the Macrolibramiento, and the Vialidad Mexiquense, in order to strengthen connectivity with the AIFA Airport, as well as works in markets, public squares, parks, and sports spaces in the 125 municipalities. "We are an entity that is transforming, and under the 'Estadio de México' motto, this is a great opportunity to show the world the hospitality and warmth that characterizes our people, but especially the greatness of our State," stated Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez. "Estadio de México. I deeply thank the Mexican Football Federation for the signing of this Agreement that allows bringing international-level events to land in the State of Mexico," indicated Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez at the match presentation held at the Government Palace. During the announcement, Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez presented the "Estadio de México" strategy.
