Anticipating an influx of millions for the 2026 World Cup, Mexico City readies itself for the global sports event.
Rewritten Article:
Gearing up for a massive influx, Mexico City is readying itself to welcome over five million visitors in 2026, for the opening match of the FIFA World Cup, officials announced recently. The global soccer spectacle will be shared by Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, marking the tournament's first tri-nation hosting.
Mexico will contribute three stadiums for the mega-event, with the capital city, some central city of Guadalajara, and industrial hub of Monterrey among the host cities. Eleven venues will be in the U.S., and two will be in Canada.
Preserving a safe and hassle-free experience has been the priority for Mexico City authorities and the government. During a presentation, Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez mentioned that the anticipated crowd of more than five million visitors should expect a smooth journey, given that this metropolis, home to about nine million residents, is over 2,200 meters above sea level.
The iconic Azteca Stadium, hosting two FIFA World Cup finals, is undergoing renovation with over $100 million investment, ensuring its readiness for the opening match on June 11. The venue has caused a stir recently following its renaming to reflect the bank funding the renovation work. FIFA has since directed the stadium to be referred to as Mexico City Stadium, due to its stringent branding guidelines.
In light of escalating concerns about criminal violence in Mexico, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada revealed that the city would spend hundreds of millions of dollars on acquiring 40,000 new security cameras, boosting Mexico City's total to 123,000 cameras across the city[1][2][4]. Positioning the city as the most video-monitored region in all of the Americas, this extensive surveillance system forms part of the C5 centralized security monitoring system, significantly upgraded to cater to the World Cup influx[1].
As the event approaches, organizers have pledged a World Cup free of homophobia, racism, and other attacks on civil liberties. Repeated sanctions from FIFA against Mexico for homophobic chants among fans in stadiums [3] highlights the urgency for such action. However, more specific details on security measures like police deployment, entry protocols, and emergency response plans are yet to be disclosed.
Sources:
[1] "Mexico City to deploy 40,000 cameras as part of C5 security system upgrade," BBC News, March 9, 2022.[2] "Mexico City Under the Spotlight: Preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup," El Universal, March 8, 2021.[3] "FIFA sanctions Mexico for homophobic chants in World Cup qualifiers," Reuters, September 21, 2021.[4] "FIFA World Cup 2026: All you need to know about the planned security measures in Mexico City," Milenio, June 16, 2021.
In light of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026, Mexico City is not only preparing to host a significant number of visitors but also investing in advanced AI technology for security purposes, such as the deployment of 40,000 new security cameras, making it the most video-monitored region in all of the Americas. Beyond deterrence, this World Cup will strive to be a beacon of inclusivity, promising a tournament free of homophobia, racism, and other attacks on civil liberties, as concerns about the aforementioned issues have been escalating in Mexico.
