The challenge for authorities: making the 2026 World Cup projects sustainable

▲ Projects around the Azteca stadium have sparked neighborhood protests. Photo: La Jornada

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, p. a10

As with other sporting events, the World Cup generates tensions and difficulties related to infrastructure overload, limited natural resources, and a lack of mobility strategies. The Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry warns that public investment in public works and services, which remains at around 2.5 percent of the gross domestic product, is insufficient, and therefore needs to be increased to at least 4 percent. Although stadiums in Mexico are FIFA-certified for sustainable building standards, the most significant expenditure is on the community, listening to residents and ensuring that improvements also respond to their needs, not just those of tourists, Guillermo Bernal, urban planner and founder of Placemaking Mexico, tells La Jornada .

In urban development management, including transportation and infrastructure, the Mexican Football Federation estimates an investment of $1.385 billion in Guadalajara alone, where four matches will be played and one for the national team in the group stage; $3.195 billion in Mexico City, which will host five matches, in addition to the tournament's opening match and another game for Mexico City in the first round; and $3.866 billion in Monterrey, which will host three matches at the start and one in the round of 32. Since these are already built or remodeled properties, "the challenge for the authorities is to make transportation and mobility services sustainable in the medium and long term, because those plans do not yet exist," he adds.

For most World Cup host countries, what happens after the competition is the aftermath of excessive optimism. Sports buildings and complexes often become immense white elephants that fall into disuse or are abandoned, like Neza 86 Stadium in the state of Mexico or 974 in Qatar, which hosted several matches in the 1986 and 2022 editions. “The investment may be low, but the most significant expenditure is on the community, on children, women, and the elderly, who are the ones who will actually stay in those places,” explains the specialist.

“It's not just about building things. What will happen when Calzada de Tlalpan floods? Where will the dredging equipment necessary for such damage be located? We need to look beyond the competition and a single population group. With help from the Mexico City government and the private sector, we have restored 18 hard-surface sports fields, which were in poor condition and are being improved for the World Cup. The most important thing is that residents be part of the celebration, that they use them, not vandalize them, or abandon them when the tournament is over.”

According to the city government, the works to be carried out in conjunction with the World Cup will include progress on the first phase of construction of the Tlalpan floating pedestrian walkway, restoration of underbridges, a lighting, image, and urban improvement program for the city's main avenues and tourist attractions, as well as the implementation of a public transportation electric bus service called Centrobús that will travel to iconic locations in the Historic Center. Additionally, 16 soccer festivals will be held in each borough, with free cultural activities and screenings of all matches.

“Fan Fests require a deep sense of community for the people who will be staying in the city,” says the founder of Placemaking Mexico, an organization that promotes social responsibility programs and transforms streets, parks, and public squares into active, community-based spaces. “We must also not forget the impacts caused by construction projects. On the Calzada de Tlalpan road, for example, sex workers have demanded that construction on the bike path be halted due to the reduction of sidewalks that used to be their work areas. Every investment requires strategic planning.”

With the arrival of fans from around the world, the FMF anticipates around $1 billion in potential revenue from the tourism sector, including restaurants, hotels, and travel agencies. The 2026 World Cup will also debut a new competition and, therefore, business model: the number of participating teams for this edition will increase from 32 to 48, so the number of matches played during the tournament—from June 11 to July 19 in Mexico, the United States, and Canada—will increase from 64 to 104, 78 of them in the country governed by Donald Trump.

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, p. a10

Mexico closes the September FIFA World Cup with a friendly match in Nashville against South Korea, a rival that defeated the United States last weekend in New Jersey (2-0) and with whom it has faced in international venues such as the 1998 World Cup, the Olympic Games (1948), the Confederations Cup (2001) and the quarterfinals of the 2002 Gold Cup. National coach Javier Aguirre, who is facing his third stage at the helm of a World Cup cycle, has only two more breaks in the year – October and November – to finalize the list of players that will represent the country in 2026. What he hopes before reaching the deadline is that mistakes that almost cost him matches, such as the 0-0 on Saturday against Japan, are not repeated.

“We have to be more daring. Sometimes an easy play presents itself and we choose not to take risks, letting someone else make the mistake,” he maintained at a press conference from the capital of Tennessee, where the Mexican national team—with Edson Álvarez missing due to injury—concludes its preparation tour of the United States this Tuesday. “Against Japan, we could have done much more, but due to our own limitations, we didn't dare. If we took a step back, I am the first to blame. I tell them who should play and how. I don't shirk my responsibility.”

Since taking over as coach in August 2024, Aguirre has returned the Tricolor to winning trophies in CONCACAF: in 2025, they won the Nations League and, later, the Gold Cup. Player turnover, however, has made it difficult to identify with a playing style. “Teams are built from the back to the front. It's a well-worn phrase, but it could be true, because it's much easier to defend than to attack. But we've gained structure,” he excuses.

The experience he led in the previous World Cups—Korea-Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010—allows the national coaching staff to evaluate specific details in the squad selections. “It's not enough to watch the newcomers eat and train, because the truth is in the games,” emphasizes the Basque , leading him to highlight the strengths of South Korea, “a rival with much more aggressive players, accustomed to competing at the limits of the rules.”

▲ The celebration after winning the World Games . Photo Xinhua

▲ The women's and men's national teams were presented with the flags at the National Center for the Development of High-Performance Sports Talents. Photo: CONADE

Adriana Díaz Reyes

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, p. a11

Three weeks after securing their second World Games championship, the Mexican flag football team is already looking toward their next goal: qualifying for the 2026 World Championship in Germany.

Led by Diana Flores, the selected athletes will seek to secure one of the five spots available at the Continental Championship, which will take place from September 12 to 14 in Panama.

"It's been a very long process to be here, with a lot of discipline to overcome the selection process and perseverance to stay on the team. This is just the first step toward the bigger goal of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games," said Andrea Martínez.

Mexico and the United States are the two favorites to win the tournament. The two titans of the sport will have Vanita Krouch of the U.S. team and Diana Flores as their defensive leaders.

The United States leads the world rankings and defeated Mexico in the last two IFAF World Cup finals (Israel 2021 and Finland 2024).

"We have the quality to return home already qualified for the World Cup and then have our revenge and beat them," added Martínez, born in Monterrey, Nuevo León.

The women's national team will play its first match on September 12 against Guatemala. The men's team will also be participating in the tournament, debuting that same day against El Salvador.

"We're very motivated and aiming to be among the best. We've trained hard, and the idea of ​​winning a medal for Mexico motivates us to give our all. Since it was announced that our sport will be in the Games, we've been doubly eager to be the best," said captain Alonso Gaxiola, who dreams of competing in Los Angeles.

Prior to the players' presentation for the Continental Cup, the teams were presented with the flag by Rommel Pacheco, head of CONADE.

“This event is much more than a competition; it's the prelude to history, because flag football is one step away from experiencing its biggest moment: its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games,” he said.

The former diver highlighted the level of both teams and their future ahead of the summer tournament in just under three years. "We have the best generation of players ready to conquer the continent and continue making history," the Yucatecan native added in a statement.

Mexico has built an elite reputation in the sport thanks to its competitive structure, the talent of its national teams, and a strong social base in schools, leagues, and parks across the country. With 12 members on the roster, the team combines experience, youth, and a specialization by position that has yielded results on the international stage.

Emir Olivares and Alonso Urrutia

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, p. a11

President Claudia Sheinbaum asserted that if there is evidence of corruption in the Benito Juárez mayor's office due to the ban on the use of the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium, "it should be reported and investigated."

When asked about the dispute between América and the head of the district, Luis Mendoza, the president stated: "It would be good if it were reported if there really was an act of corruption and intimidation, that it be reported, that it be investigated," she emphasized.

Congratulations

During the morning press conference, the President congratulated the successful athletes and requested that a video be shown of their achievements.

The images show archers Maya Becerra, Mariana Bernal, and Adriana Castillo, who won gold in archery in Gwangju. Daniela Souza also won the same medal in taekwondo in Lima.

Athletes brought Mexico 15 medals at the San Salvador Pan American Judo Cup. Jorman Osuna and Ángel Cárdenas won silver in the seventh stage of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation Tour , while cyclist Isaac del Toro took home the GP Industria & Artigianato.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, p. a11

Drawn to boxing since she was eight years old, Ariadna Gil from Jalisco debuted with a victory at the 2025 Liverpool World Boxing Championships, where she defeated Scotland's Stephanie Margaret Kernachan by unanimous decision.

The boxer demonstrated forcefulness with every blow to overcome her opponent, who at times displayed good style in her attempt to secure victory. Gil countered her style to claim victory in the 54-kilogram division and advance to the quarterfinals.