The master plan (or how to survive the World Cup chaos)
It seems like it was yesterday, but in reality they have been planning for three years what could be the most epic (and potentially chaotic) event that we will see in 2026. The Federal Government, in an act of optimism that reminds us of when we plan to go out on a Saturday night, assures that we will arrive at the World Cup 2026 with a security and protection scheme civilwhich sounds like a deluxe edition: “unified, approved and with a gender perspective.” In other words, version 5.0 of an operation where, in theory, all authorities – federal, state, municipal and even FIFA itself – will play on the same team. Something that, let’s be honest, has the same level of difficulty as putting together a puzzle in the middle of an earthquake.
The person in charge of releasing this information to us with a calmness that well deserves an award was Gabriela Cuevas Barrón, the coordinator of the work of the Government of Mexico for the World Cup. During the now traditional morning conference of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Cuevas told us, with the confidence of someone who already has the undersecretary’s app downloaded on their cell phone, that the country already has a consolidated strategy to protect the millions of souls (national and foreign) who will venture to this football festival. Basically, it is your “hyperfixation” of the last 36 months.
“We are preparing to receive this great event; federal security agencies have been coordinating with all governments and with FIFA for three years. We already have a unified work plan and the approval of protocols for stadiums, public spaces and celebration areas,” he stated. Or what is the same: they already have an instruction manual so that the chaos does not overflow, from how to enter a stadium in an orderly manner to how to celebrate a goal without it ending in involuntary memes.
Security, roads and… gender perspective?
But the plan does not stop only in the surroundings of the temples of football. Things get serious on highways, logistics corridors and airports, where the Armed Forces will also play a leading role. And in a nod that seems taken from a checklist of what is politically correct in 2025, Cuevas highlighted that the scheme is developed “with a gender perspective and comprehensive protection for girls, boys and adolescents.” Hopefully that includes bathrooms with equal lines and safe areas where you can take refuge from the drunk fan who thinks he is the new Messi.
Regarding the logistics of the event, the official explained the historical dimension of this mega tournament, which for the first time will have an organizing committee for each host city. “The next World Cup in North America is innovative even in its organization. For the first time, FIFA and the stadiums organized a committee for each of the cities. In Mexico, three cities will host 13 matches: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey are consolidated as World Cup venues,” he announced. Basically, a massive and ultra-coordinated chat group between cities so that nothing fails. What could go wrong?
And as if organizing 13 matches were not enough, they also dropped the bomb: the country will receive four playoff matches. “Today we can already say it: four playoff games will be played,” Cuevas celebrated. That is, more football, more nerves and more excuses to be late for work.
Infrastructure: promises about rails and asphalt
Now, let’s talk about what affects us all: infrastructure. The pre-World Plan includes improvements in transport, public areas, airports and connectivity. The star promise is that the Train from Buenavista to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) will be ready before the championship, along with road works on the accesses to the three host cities. In other words, the perfect excuse to justify the infernal traffic of the coming months.
“We design mobility plans, infrastructure improvements and operational adjustments in public transportation. The train from Buenavista to AIFA will soon be a reality,” he said. “Soon,” a word that in public works lexicon can mean anything from “in a few months” to “in the next decade.” Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
She also got serious to highlight the investments made in the national stadiums. “It is important to highlight the importance of the three stadiums that will host the largest World Cup in history and the large investments they have made to meet the highest soccer standards and improve the experience for fans in connectivity, sustainability and accessibility,” he stressed. Translation: Wi-Fi that doesn’t crash at minute 89 and bathrooms that don’t look like something out of a horror movie.
The final speech, as it could not be otherwise, was epic. Cuevas insisted that the objective is not only to organize a global event, but to leave permanent benefits for cities and future generations. “Mexico will once again make history as a World Cup host for the third time, transforming a global event into local well-being and building a legacy that allows our boys and girls to achieve their dreams in professional sports,” he said. A speech that almost, almost, makes us believe that the entire country will become a football utopia.
With 196 days in the countdown to the inauguration and only four months for the playoff matches, the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to arrive prepared. “We are moving forward with FIFA and the host governments in consolidating agreements that ensure shared and effective solutions… May the celebration translate into more well-being for the people,” he concluded. I hope all this planning turns out as well as it sounds and we don’t end up remembering this World Cup only because of the memes of the failed blocks. Time, and the ball, will tell.
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