MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met on Monday with FIFA's President Gianni Infantino to assess preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada in June and July.
Sheinbaum said on her social media account that she had breakfast with Infantino at the National Palace “because we are evaluating everything for the upcoming World Cup,” adding that “everything is going to be wonderful.”
The tournament kicks off on June 11 at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City with a match between the hosts and South Africa.
A friendly match between Mexico and Portugal was held at the Mexico City stadium last Saturday as part of the World Cup preparations. The event was marred by the death of a fan who fell from the second tier to the ground floor in the VIP box area.
“This inauguration is going to be historic, exceptional,” said Sheinbaum while holding a FIFA pennant alongside Infantino.
The FIFA president echoed Sheinbaum’s sentiments, assuring that the World Cup will be “a success for Mexico.”
Infantino has been in Mexico since last week when he attended two Intercontinental Cup playoff matches in Guadalajara and Monterrey. He was also in Mexico City over the weekend for events with the Mexican Football Federation.
Concerns arose following the violent events that occurred on Feb. 22 in several Mexican cities after the capture and death of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in southern Jalisco state.
Among the cities hit by the wave of violence was Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, which will be one of the three Mexican host cities for the World Cup, along with Mexico City and Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo León state.
Mexico is scheduled to host 13 World Cup matches.
In early March, Mexican authorities presented their security plan for the World Cup, called “Plan Kukulkán,” which will involve some 100,000 members of the military and police forces, both federal and local.
The plan includes specialized training for officials, planning and operational exercises, early warning systems, security measures around stadiums, airports, roads, and hotels.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FIFA President Gianni Infantino gives a thumbs-up to fans during a World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between New Caledonia and Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Super Bowl will return to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in 2029 for the second time after NFL owners voted Monday in Phoenix to award the nation's gambling and entertainment capital the big game.
Las Vegas getting the Super Bowl back after Kansas City defeated San Francisco 25-22 in overtime in February 2024 seemed like only a matter of time.
Commissioner Roger Goodell all but gave that possibility his blessing after the first Super Bowl in a city the league long shunned because of concerns about legalized sports betting.
“We’re excited to bring the Super Bowl back to Las Vegas and provide our fans another incredible experience in one of America’s greatest sport and entertainment destinations,” Goodell said in a statement.
“Super Bowl LVIII demonstrated the scale, energy and hospitality the city brings to global events, and we look forward to working alongside the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Raiders and the community to deliver an even greater experience this time around.”
Next year's Super Bowl will be played in California for the second straight time when Inglewood hosts. Santa Clara was the site of this year's game in which Seattle beat New England 29-13.
Atlanta will host the 2028 game.
“It’s a testament to the Raiders, the LVCVA, civic leaders, the community, and the NFL working together as one," Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement. "Super Bowl LVIII set a high bar, and for Super Bowl LXIII we are committed to raising it even further.”
In addition to hosting a Super Bowl, Las Vegas has been the Raiders' home since 2020 and site of the 2022 NFL draft.
The city's first attempt at hosting the country's most popular sporting event was largely well-received. Most game-week events are close together on the Strip, and even the stadium is within walking distance of the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard.
“Clearly, Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas was a tremendous success,” NFL executive vice president Peter O'Reilly said. “Every element of that, everything that Las Vegas brought to bear, the energy, the size, the scale, the hospitality. That's why Las Vegas is the host of so many premier sports and entertainment events. Clearly, NFL ownership supported that in its unanimous decision. We're thrilled to be back there.”
The 2029 Super Bowl will highlight a busy sports calendar for Las Vegas in the coming years.
The College Football Playoff national championship will be played at Allegiant Stadium in 2027, and the Final Four will be there in 2028. Also, baseball's Athletics are scheduled to begin play at their new Las Vegas stadium in 2028, and it's possible a new NBA team will open its first season later that year.
“The commitment that Mark Davis made 10 years ago to bring the Raiders to Las Vegas, to build Allegiant Stadium, to bring the NFL to our city has been transformational for Las Vegas,” LVCVA CEO/President Steve Hill said. "It has elevated our city, it has raised our global profile and it has given us the opportunity to host the Super Bowl.
“This is a city that is built to host. It's who we are. It's not just what we do, it is how we measure ourselves.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
LVCVA board member Michael Naft speaks during a press conference announcing Las Vegas as the host city for Super Bowl LXIII at Allegiant Stadium Monday, March 30, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
LVCVA Chief Sports Officer Janis Burke, LVCVA board member Michael Naft, and Las Vegas Raiders Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel Justin Carley talk during a press conference announcing Las Vegas as the host city for Super Bowl LXIII at Allegiant Stadium Monday, March 30, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
FILE - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates winning the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game over the New England Patriots, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
