"Ensuring a Safe World Cup"... Mexico to Deploy Nearly 100,000 Military and Police Personnel

Full-Scale Security Efforts Including Operation of Anti-Drone System

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America (United States, Mexico, and Canada) now just over three months away, the Mexican government has announced plans to deploy approximately 99,000 soldiers and police officers to ensure the safe hosting of the tournament.

World Cup winning trophy. Photo by AFP News Agency

According to major foreign media outlets such as the Associated Press on the 6th (local time), Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, held a press conference in Zapopan, Jalisco, where she unveiled a World Cup security initiative called the “Kukulkan Plan.” Kukulkan is the feathered serpent of Mayan mythology. The Mexican government plans to station around 99,000 military and police personnel in the three host cities—Mexico City, Guadalajara (Jalisco), and Monterrey (Nuevo Leon)—before, during, and after the World Cup. In the lead-up to the tournament, the Mexican authorities are emphasizing “safety” on a daily basis in an effort to alleviate international concerns and reassure the global community about public security.

Roman Villalvazo Barrios, General in the Mexican Ministry of National Defense and the Mexican World Cup Chief Coordinator, stated, “We will establish a joint task force in each World Cup host city, for a total of three, and will also assign additional units to the main national team training facilities.”

In addition, it is estimated that more than 2,100 military vehicles, 24 aircraft, and approximately 200 explosive- and narcotics-detection dogs will be mobilized. Authorities added that a live field exercise, involving 23 public, private, and military agencies, will be conducted in mid-March to review response protocols.

Previously in Mexico, a joint military and police operation to eliminate Nemesio Oseguera (“El Mencho”), the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), resulted in massive violence by cartel members. During this incident, more than 70 people—including soldiers, gang members, and even civilians—were killed. Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, stated, “We will review various issues such as security and traffic management in the host cities for the soccer fans visiting stadiums and other venues,” making it clear there are no plans to change the host cities.

Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The Mexican authorities have also announced plans to operate an anti-drone system to control illegal unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) activity. Unlicensed drones will be detected and neutralized around stadiums and fan zones, while jamming devices and real-time tracking radars will be installed to block aerial threats. Drug trafficking cartels based in Mexico are known to exploit drones for illegal drug deliveries and attempted acts of terror.

General Barrios also stated that any drone not registered on the “whitelist” (the list of flight-approved devices) will be immediately identified and prevented from entering restricted areas.

Meanwhile, there have been numerous cases where major sporting events such as the World Cup or the Olympics have faced disruptions. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was postponed to 2021, and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games was held in 2023. There have also been instances where the host city was changed: the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup was scheduled to be held in China, but after the outbreak of the SARS virus in late 2022, China relinquished its hosting rights and the event was held in the United States. Further, with the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic until 2022, China gave up hosting the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, resulting in the tournament being moved to Qatar.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.