The government of Claudia Sheinbaum presented the Plan Kukulcán, a security strategy to protect visitors and delegations in the 2026 World Cup host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. The initiative involves nearly 100,000 personnel and international cooperation with the United States, Canada, and FIFA. It includes security belts at key points and air defense systems.
On March 6, 2026, the Mexican federal government announced the Plan Kukulcán during a press conference, focused on ensuring security before, during, and after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, detailed that the strategy involves 20 dependencies from the three levels of government and foresees information exchange with the United States, Canada, and FIFA for operational planning and risk management.
Román Villalvazo, head of the 2026 World Cup Coordination Center, explained that the operation will involve nearly 100,000 personnel, including 20,000 from the National Guard, Army, and Air Force, plus support from state and municipal police. They will deploy in 'security belts' with immediate, mediate, distant, and reinforcement reaction levels, covering airports, highways, hotels, team training zones, stadiums, Fan Festival areas, and protection for delegations and heads of state.
The plan includes three joint task forces, one per main host city (Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey), seven groupings for alternate venues, and three for air defense. The National Guard will operate at intermediate distances, while the Army will serve as ground reinforcement. Prior to setup, Army teams will conduct sweeps for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, anti-explosives, microphony, and anti-drones.
The air component features a five-layer system: strategic aircraft with two-dimensional radars between 25,000 and 19,000 feet, Northrop F-5 and 'Texan' planes for interception, rotary aircraft for aeromedical evacuation and fire support, and anti-drone systems at lower levels. Villalvazo warned visitors to avoid unregistered drones due to the anti-drone systems.
Armed forces personnel have been training since January, including simulations and planning exercises.
