President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a nationwide security and anti-human-trafficking campaign to protect fans and tourists during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The initiative comes as Mexico prepares to host global crowds, necessitating a coordinated effort to prevent crime and ensure public safety during the tournament.
Sheinbaum said the government is implementing a campaign and surveillance throughout the country to guarantee security. These coordinated actions will be focused in three specific cities: Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara [3]. The strategy specifically targets the prevention of human trafficking to protect visitors during the event [2].
Addressing potential disruptions, Sheinbaum said there will not be any problem with demonstrations during the World Cup [1]. However, recent security concerns have persisted, including a shooting at pyramids on the outskirts of Mexico City occurring less than two months before the tournament, which prompted the government to increase security at tourist sites.
Separate from the tournament preparations, the president addressed the presence of foreign operatives within the country. Sheinbaum said four U.S. agents were operating in Mexico without permission [4]. Of those four agents, two died in April in an accident [4].
The president's focus on surveillance and the removal of unauthorized foreign agents suggests a push for tighter sovereign control over security operations as the international spotlight turns toward Mexico.
“"There is a campaign and there is surveillance throughout the country to guarantee security during the 2026 World Cup."”
The Mexican government is attempting to balance the hospitality required for a global sporting event with a strict assertion of national sovereignty. By simultaneously launching high-visibility anti-trafficking campaigns and calling out unauthorized U.S. operatives, the administration is signaling that international cooperation for the World Cup must occur under Mexico's legal terms and oversight.
