How Mexico City is preparing for the World Cup
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A reminder from Mexico City's airport that soccer will unite North America in just weeks. Photo: Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi/Axios
The World Cup will begin in Mexico City and end in New Jersey, putting years of planning to the test over a span of 39 days.
- And, with less than a month to go, North Texas is a microcosm of 16 host locales that are each racing against time to finish preparations.
Why it matters: This is the first time that three countries are co-hosting a World Cup.
State of play: While American football is king in the U.S. and ice hockey rules Canada, soccer is widely considered Mexico's most popular sport.
- Fans fill Mexico City's sports bars during Liga MX matches and street vendors stream the games on their phones.
The intrigue: Mexico will become the first country to have hosted the World Cup three times. The two previous tournaments in Mexico showcased two of the game's greatest players.
- In 1970, Pelé led Brazil to the trophy.
- In 1986, Diego Maradona led Argentina to a championship.
Zoom in: Mexico has been especially popular for flight and hotel searches for this World Cup, with many of Mexico City's searches originating from the U.S. and Canada, per Kayak.
Vibe check: The tournament will be Mexico City's Super Bowl, with five matches taking place in Azteca Stadium.
- A massive soccer ball sculpture and replica World Cup trophy greet visitors at Benito Juarez International Airport.
- Buildings and underpasses in tourist areas have had soccer-adjacent advertisements for weeks. One museum has 15,000 pieces of soccer memorabilia.
- Tour and excursion companies are adding staff to accommodate the extra demand for bookings.
Yes, but: Some residents are wary of the World Cup, saying they can't afford tickets and the city won't be ready in time for the opening match.
- The airport remains an active construction site. Azteca Stadium is facing issues with box seats and concerns about sinking.
- Many families have also been displaced because of the city's short-term rental boom, a tour guide tells Axios.
What we're watching: The 2026 World Cup's long-term impacts on its North American hosts after the final whistle.