By Emmanuel Gutiérrez. Mexican Press Agency
With less than a year to go before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, some national teams have already qualified while others are still battling for a spot across the five continents. It promises to be a special tournament, with more teams, more players, more stars—and, on the flip side, sky-high prices.
Mexico will host a World Cup for the third time. While this edition is shared with the United States and Canada, it is important to stress that Mexico remains a central part of the global soccer celebration—one that generates billions of dollars in economic activity for host countries, but also requires massive investments.
How much will Mexico invest in the 2026 World Cup?
A multi-billion peso investment is no small feat, especially given today’s rising cost of living, transportation, and housing in major Mexican cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
According to Sarens, the company behind “Plan Mexico,” organizing the 2026 World Cup will require investments in stadium expansions and modernization, urban infrastructure, airport improvements, and logistics. The firm told EFE that Mexico will invest about 225 billion pesos ($12.01 billion USD) in the three host cities.
At Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca, renovations will expand seating from 87,000 to 90,000, add new VIP areas and luxury locker rooms to meet international standards for comfort.
What economic impact will the 2026 World Cup have in Mexico?
KPMG, a global consulting firm, estimates that Mexico could see an economic impact of up to $3.0 billion USD, fueled by ticket sales, tourism, hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, and transportation services.
The tournament is also expected to create 24,000 jobs nationwide and increase the number of foreign visitors by 44%, bringing an estimated 5.5 million tourists to Mexico during June and July 2026, according to Mikel Arriola, president of the Mexican Soccer Federation.
“The magnitude of this tournament will align Mexican soccer around a single goal: maximizing the performance of our national team while leveraging the enormous growth opportunity across sectors,” Arriola said at the 2025 Business Summit in Guadalajara.
How many fans does FIFA expect for 2026?
FIFA projects about five million fans will attend the 104 matches scheduled in the tournament. While not everyone will secure a seat inside a stadium, fan activations and public viewing events in host cities will ensure supporters can experience the excitement of their national teams.
What is the World Cup 2026 format?
The 2026 edition introduces a new format: 48 teams, divided into 16 groups of three teams each. Every team will play two group-stage matches, with the top two from each group advancing.
This means 32 teams will qualify for the knockout round, with the winners moving on to the Round of 16, then Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York.
Which Mexican stadiums will host World Cup matches?
Estadio Azteca (Mexico City): Hosting its third World Cup, the renovated venue will see three group matches and one knockout round game.
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey): Home of Rayados, inaugurated in 2016, will host matches on June 14, 20, 24 and 29, including one Round of 32 clash.
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara): Home of Chivas, inaugurated in 2010, with capacity for 50,000 fans, will also be a stage for group matches.
How much will World Cup 2026 tickets cost?
Demand will be overwhelming. Tickets will be sold first through a Visa pre-registration lottery, with winners receiving codes to access purchases. But even with a code, competition in virtual queues will be fierce.
So far, the announced prices are:
Group stage: from $60 USD (approx. 1,122 MXN)
Final: up to $6,730 USD (approx. 126,000 MXN)
There will also be VIP packages available through agencies and concierge services, costing upwards of 100,000 pesos ($5,326 USD) per seat.
Mexico City declares World Cup holiday
In a historic move, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada announced that June 11, 2026, the day of the World Cup opening match, will be an official holiday in the capital.
“It will be a holiday so that everyone can enjoy this historic day,” Brugada confirmed. All 16 boroughs of Mexico City will host fan zones and activations, turning the entire capital into a massive soccer festival.
Related: Ticket Sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Kick Off in September with Exclusive Visa Cardholder Raffle
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
