Two months after the initial whistle, the government says it has fulfilled its commitments
Gabriela Cuevas Barrón, the coordinator of federal work for the 2026 World Cup, uttered the phrase that everyone wanted to hear: “we are doing well.” He said it this Friday at the National Palace, with President Claudia Sheinbaum as a witness. Exactly 62 days before the inauguration, he assured that they have already fulfilled their commitments.
What is this trust based on? Cuevas highlighted the rehearsals that have already been carried out in the host cities of Monterrey and Guadalajara during the playoff matches. They are the litmus tests that every organizer needs.
The other party: the ‘Social World Cup’
But here there is a game within the game. While we talk about stadiums and logistics, another front is advancing at full speed. Icela Rodríguez, head of the Interior, presented the status of the so-called ‘Social World Cup’.
The figure is overwhelming: 1,828 courts are already in the process of being completed, out of a planned total of 3,612. “We are taking care of the progress so that everything is very clear and transparent,” said Rodríguez. They are not just numbers—they are community spaces that will remain as a legacy.
Edna Vega, from Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development, added the human component: community work mechanisms to directly involve neighbors. And Rommel Pacheco, director of Conade, closed with a flourish, describing the initiative as “a success”, highlighting the School Cup and the Conade Cup.
The message is clear: Mexico is not only preparing a global sporting event, but is trying to convert that energy into local social transformation. It remains to be seen whether the final score will reflect such optimism.
