Mexico City Set To Host Millions Ahead Of The 2026 World Cup

Mexico City is set to welcome over five million visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the opening match slated to take place in the sprawling megacity, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, marking the first time that three countries will co-host the prestigious event.

Three of the 16 venues for the tournament will be located in Mexico, with Guadalajara and Monterrey sharing hosting duties alongside the capital. The remaining venues will be spread across the United States and Canada.

Rosa Icela Rodriguez, Mexico’s Interior Minister, stated: “More than five million people are expected to arrive for the matches in Mexico City, which has around nine million residents and is more than 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level.”

Authorities are working closely to ensure that the experience for visitors is both safe and smooth, she added during a presentation.

Azteca Stadium, the iconic venue that has hosted two previous FIFA World Cup finals, is undergoing a $100 million renovation and is set to be completed by the time of the opening match on June 11, 2026.

Felix Aguirre, the stadium’s general director, assured, “It will be ready.”

However, the renovation process has sparked controversy due to the stadium’s renaming after the bank funding the project. FIFA has intervened, ordering that the venue be referred to as Mexico City Stadium to adhere to its branding rules.

In light of security concerns in a country often affected by criminal violence, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada announced plans to purchase an additional 40,000 security cameras, raising the total to 123,000 across the city.

“We will be the most video-surveilled city in all of the Americas,” she declared.

In a commitment to ensuring a positive and inclusive World Cup, organizers have urged for a tournament free from homophobia, racism, and attacks on civil liberties. FIFA has previously sanctioned Mexico for incidents of homophobic chanting by fans at stadiums.