With 205 days to go before next year’s World Cup, President Claudia Sheinbaum presented the Mexico 2026 Social World Cup, a nationwide initiative consisting of a series of activities beginning this year—though mainly starting in January, as the president explained during her morning press conference.
From June 11 to July 19, the event “México de mis sabores” will take place, said Josefina Rodríguez, head of the Ministry of Tourism. “It will be a gathering of 32 states with their traditional cooks; there will also be a Fonart store.” This showcase will extend to the Los Pinos Cultural Complex, where traditional cooks will present their cuisine from June 11 to 14 so that visitors can experience “what a smoke kitchen is”.
This federal strategy will be strengthened with the Youth Building the Future program, through 5,000 volunteers, announced Marath Baruch Bolaños of the Labor Ministry.
Rommel Pacheco, director of CONADE, emphasized that “sports transform lives” and “transform the future of a country.” He announced the organization of 74 mini–World Cups and six tournaments, “an ecosystem that will reach the entire country”, which will help identify athletic talent, with a projected reach of 6.2 million people.
Zoé Robledo, director of IMSS, also announced mini-World Cups, including futsal events featuring 181 teams across 80 municipalities in 31 states, with a final match at the Olympic Stadium in Ciudad Universitaria. There will also be a walking football tournament and IMSS 21, a competition for youth with Down syndrome featuring 58 teams, as well as an international tournament—the Street Child World Cup Mexico—with 30 teams from 24 countries in Oaxtepec, attended by international figures.
The Mexico 2026 Social World Cup strategy includes, among its 10 main initiatives, more than 5,000 activities and routes; the launch of the “Conoce México” mobile app; a Robotics Mini-World Cup; and the rehabilitation of 4,208 sports courts during the 39 days of the FIFA World Cup and its 104 matches—although only 13 of those will be played in Mexico: Mexico City (5), Guadalajara (4), and Monterrey (4).
The mascots Muuk’ and Toj Óol—of Maya origin—were also introduced. They will embody the physical activation program by leading warm-up sessions before football matches. These mascots will promote physical activity, prevention, and wellness 30 minutes before games in community stadiums and schools within the National Education System.
Muuk’, derived from the Maya word for “strength and energy,” serves as a national health ambassador promoting ideal muscle mass. Toj Óol, meaning “health,” is also a national health ambassador, focused on promoting bone health.
