FIFA Corridor to Enhance Nuevo Leon Mobility for World Cup 2026

Governor of Nuevo Leon Samuel García unveiled the "FIFA Corridor" project, which aims to modernize the state's mobility, enhance connectivity, and prepare the region as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The FIFA Corridor is designed to link the Monterrey metropolitan area's public spaces and tourist attractions, prioritizing pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation during the upcoming global sporting event. This initiative aligns with the collaborative hosting efforts of Mexico, Canada, and the United States, marking the first time the FIFA World Cup has three host nations.

Governor García highlights the seamless connectivity visitors will experience, particularly those arriving in Nuevo Leon by air. The project aims to ensure a smooth transition for attendees from the airport to the official stadium, Estadio BBVA, and the surrounding metropolitan area through various mobility options.

To guarantee the safety of all attendees, the state will reinforce its police force and build a new Security Building, says García.

The FIFA Corridor is set to guide visitors to Monterrey's prominent parks, including Parque Fundidora, the new Puente Verde, Parque España, and Parque del Agua, selected as venues for the FIFA Fan Fest 2026. It will also connect visitors to various parks and public spaces in the Monterrey metropolitan area, providing an extensive array of options for leisure and exploration.

Integral to the project is a modernization and restructuring of Nuevo Leon's transportation system. The plan includes the introduction of 2,200 new eco-friendly buses, 400 new TransMetros, 100% electric DRT vehicles, and three new Metro lines, along with the reconstruction of Line 2.

The FIFA Corridor project also envisions a new road network connecting Nuevo Leon from north to south, featuring key projects such as the Matehuala-Puerto Mexico Highway, Interserrana Highway, new Periferico, Monterrey-Cadereyta (Reynosa) Highway, Saltillo-Monterrey Highway, new Airport Highway, Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo Highways (Free and Toll), 001 Norte Highway, La Gloria-Colombia Highway, and Colombia-Laredo Tax-Free Zone Customs.

The joint hosting of the 2026 World Cup by North America could generate over US$5 billion in short-term economic activity, supporting around 40,000 jobs and over US$1 billion in incremental worker earnings, according to a study by The Boston Consulting Group.

Craig Hutchinson, CEO, Engel & Völkers South Africa, predicts an increase in real estate demand in North America due to the World Cup. Previous tournament experiences suggest that local infrastructure updates and heightened exposure significantly boost demand in host countries.

Other infrastructure investments for the World Cup include a renovation of the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Ollomani, the company resulting from the spin-off of Grupo Televisa's sports and editorial business, is set to lead the modernization of the stadium with an estimated initial investment of US$52.2 million. The renovation, while impactful, poses potential challenges for the operation of the stadium during the remodeling period. 

Critics argue that hosting the event will be costly. Still, the three nations argue that leveraging existing infrastructure will keep expenses below the budgets of previous hosts, avoiding inflation from construction. Sport Business Projection estimates that the three countries will need to invest US$20 billion for various purposes like security, communication, marketing, technology, and logistics, putting expenses similar to the Brazil and Russia World Cups held in 2014 and 2018, respectively. However, the North American candidacy, United 2026, promised to invest between US$1 billion and US$1.5 billion only in organization and operation expenses.