Mexico has described the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a historic and important opportunity for the country and the wider Americas, as preparations continue for the global football tournament.
Speaking about the event, Mexican Ambassador to Kenya, Gisele Fernández Ludlow, said hosting the World Cup for a third time shows Mexico’s strength in infrastructure, security, tourism, and service delivery. The 2026 tournament will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, marking the first time in history that three countries will host the World Cup together.
The 2026 edition will also be the largest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams instead of the previous 32, and a total of 104 matches played across the three host nations.
Mexico will make history by becoming the first country to host the World Cup three times, having previously staged the tournament in 1970 and 1986. During the 2026 competition, Mexico will host 13 matches, with games taking place in Mexico City (5 matches), Nuevo León (4 matches), and Jalisco (4 matches). Authorities expect the country to receive about 5.5 million tourists during the tournament.
Ambassador Fernández Ludlow said global sporting events like the World Cup help countries showcase their culture, food, tourism, and economic potential to the world. She added that preparations for the tournament are already encouraging investment in roads, transport, accommodation, stadiums, and public services, which will benefit local communities long after the event ends.
“The World Cup brings opportunities for local and international tourists, strengthens cultural ties, and generates income for the national and local economy,” she said.
She also noted that hosting the tournament will create jobs, both temporary and long-term, especially in construction, tourism, security, hospitality, and other service sectors. According to the ambassador, the event will also strengthen Mexico’s image on the global stage and boost sports diplomacy.
The ambassador explained that Mexico’s embassies and consulates around the world are working together to support athletes, fans, and officials by offering consular services, health support, accommodation assistance, and help with travel and immigration processes.
In the competition draw, host nation Mexico was placed in Group A, where they will face South Africa and South Korea. As one of the host countries, Mexico hopes to use home support to advance further in the tournament, with excitement already growing among football fans as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues.
The tournament is widely seen as more than just football, but as a chance to promote unity, cooperation, and cultural exchange through sport on a global scale.
