CFE Readies Power Grid for World Cup 2026

CFE will deploy a special operation to secure electricity supply during the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. The plan includes 2,618 workers, inspections across 947km of distribution networks and 130km of transmission lines, and 3,427 maintenance actions to strengthen grid reliability.

Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) will deploy a special operation to guarantee the continuity and safety of the electricity supply during the FIFA World Cup 2026, with actions focused on stadiums, airports, transportation systems, fan zones, and other strategic infrastructure in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

The plan includes 2,618 CFE electric workers assigned to permanent operational shifts in strategic facilities and circuits during the tournament. CFE will also maintain a permanent presence in substations supplying the three host venues: Mexico City Stadium, Guadalajara Stadium, and Monterrey Stadium, as well as other areas linked to mobility and high public concentration.

As part of its preparations, CFE inspected 947km of distribution network and 130km of transmission lines, covering 100% of the electrical infrastructure connected to strategic facilities for the tournament. These inspections led to 3,427 maintenance activities across the grid to reinforce the reliability of the electricity supply.

The operation will also rely on 24/7 monitoring from CFE’s Distribution Control Centers, using remote-control technology to detect and address potential incidents as quickly as possible. The company will deploy emergency generators, lighting towers, and a strategic inventory of materials and equipment to respond to any contingencies during the event.

Beyond stadium operations, CFE says it is preparing for mass gatherings such as FIFA Fan Fest events and football festivals. For these areas, the company has carried out over 800km of grid inspections and over 4,000 preventive activities, aimed at strengthening service reliability in zones expected to receive large crowds.

In Monterrey, one of Mexico’s three host cities, CFE has also advanced infrastructure works linked to urban mobility. The company concluded the modification of 15 electrical line crossings and is building a new substation to support power supply for Metrorrey lines 4 and 6, which are considered part of the city’s transport improvements ahead of the World Cup.

These measures build on earlier coordination between the Ministry of Energy (SENER), CFE, and the governments of Mexico City, Jalisco, and Nuevo Leon. In February 2026, the institutions installed the World Cup 2026 Follow-Up Group, led by Luz Elena González, Minister of Energy, to identify risks, address electricity requirements, and coordinate the energy infrastructure needed in the three host cities.

CFE said the operation is part of its broader commitment to provide reliable, safe, and continuous electricity service during the tournament. The company added that preventive and operational actions will be supported by robust infrastructure and rapid-response protocols across the host cities.

The World Cup is expected to generate strong pressure on urban infrastructure, particularly in transport, hospitality, telecommunications, and energy. Bloomberg Línea reports that the Mexican government expects 5.5 million visitors, US$1 billion in revenue, and 24,000 direct jobs from the tournament.

The creation of that group marked the start of an interinstitutional effort to align federal and local actions before the tournament. Mexico will co-host the FIFA World Cup 2026 with the United States and Canada, with matches scheduled in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. The tournament is expected to increase demand on urban infrastructure, making energy reliability a key component of host-city readiness.