US Military to Arrive in Mexico for World Cup 2026 Preparation

In April, military personnel from the United States will enter our country at the request of President Claudia Sheinbaum. In a request to the Senate, the head of state explained that the military presence is within the framework of bilateral cooperation agreements and preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Mexico will be the host country. The objective of the American army in our country is to participate in the SOF 32 Event called 'Training for the 2026 FIFA World Cup' and the VITAL ARCHER Exercise, which will be held from April 3 to May 1, 2026. The VITAL ARCHER exercise will take place at different venues in the country according to the following schedule: From April 6 to 17 - Toluca International Airport “Lic. Adolfo López Mateos” and Naval Special Operations Unit in Donato Guerra, State of Mexico. From April 18 to 23 - “Benito Juárez” International Airport in Mexico City. From April 24 to 28 - facilities of the National Port System Administration in Veracruz. From April 29 to 30 - facilities of the headquarters building of the Secretariat of the Navy in Mexico City. The delegation of U.S. military personnel will enter the country with weapons and military equipment aboard a “Hercules C-130” transport aircraft belonging to the United States Air Force. According to the document addressed to the President of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Senators, Laura Itzel Catillo Juárez, the VITAL ARCHER exercise is part of the joint training activities between the military forces of Mexico and the United States, aimed at strengthening the capacity to respond to different risk scenarios. 35 elements will enter the country: Four belong to the Seventh Army Special Forces Group. 23 to the Navy SEAL Team 8. Two are Technicians from the Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team and six from the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency.