Mexico to Launch School Sports Programs Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Mexico’s Ministry of Public Education (SEP) will launch a nationwide school soccer tournament as part of the country’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming to promote physical activity, healthy habits, and social interaction among students, says Minister of Education Mario Delgado.

The initiative, titled the National School Soccer Cup “Live Healthy, Play Happy,” is designed to leverage the global sporting event to encourage long-term engagement in sports among children, adolescents, and young adults across the country. Schools will serve as the foundation of the program, which seeks to embed sports participation and values such as teamwork and discipline from an early age.

According to Delgado, the tournament will be open to students from primary school through university level. Participants will compete in school-based, regional, and national stages, creating what the ministry described as a broad framework for coexistence and participation throughout Mexico. The national final is scheduled to take place at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, one of the country’s most recognized sports venues.

Delgado says soccer can function as a tool for social integration by fostering collaboration, respect, and resilience. He adds that school fields represent spaces where students can build confidence, identify their abilities, and engage in formative and recreational experiences.

The National School Soccer Cup is expected to begin this year and will be held annually. The program is structured to be inclusive, welcoming both students who already practice the sport and those who wish to start. Delgado says that the initiative is not intended to identify elite athletes, but rather to promote coexistence, friendship, and the development of values within and beyond the classroom.

The project is being coordinated with the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE), led by Rommel Pacheco. The collaboration aims to support the development of a national soccer training ecosystem aligned with the federal government’s broader objective of strengthening comprehensive education and encouraging more active and healthy communities.

Delgado calls on educational communities nationwide to participate once the official call for registration is released through SEP’s communication channels. He says school sports represent a platform for learning, identity, and well-being that can leave a lasting impact beyond the 2026 World Cup.

Recently, Mexico’s federal government outlined a series of health and sports initiatives set to begin in 2026, leveraging the upcoming FIFA World Cup to strengthen prevention strategies and expand access to physical activity, reports MBN. The announcement is relevant to Mexico’s public health landscape, as sedentary behavior is identified by the Ministry of Health (SSA) as one of the leading contributors to mortality worldwide and a significant factor in the rise of chronic noncommunicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 5 million deaths each year could be prevented through regular physical activity.

However, as countries experience economic growth, inactivity rates increase dramatically, sometimes reaching up to 70%. This trend is influenced by changes in transportation methods, greater dependence on technology for work and leisure, cultural norms, and a rise in sedentary behavior. The consequences of this shift are dire, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives that encourage physical activity.

Sporting events have historically been drivers for increasing physical activity, particularly among young people. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 acted as a powerful motivator for physical activity. Historically, the Games have inspired concrete initiatives aimed at increasing public engagement in exercise. Host cities often leverage the Olympics to improve their sports facilities and enhance access to both elite and recreational sports, reports the International Olympic Committee.

“Olympians are more than athletes: they are role models for people to enjoy sport and the benefits of physical activity,” says Tedros Adhanom, Director General, WHO.