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On Sunday, October 12, 2025, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro led a presentation of the roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, for which Guadalajara will be one of the venues. At a public event held at Casa Jalisco in Guadalajara and broadcast live through official government and media channels in Guadalajara, he laid out a comprehensive strategy that will culminate in legacy projects for the city. He was flanked by officials from the state and the organizing committee.
During the presentation, Guadalajara golfer Lorena Ochoa was named World Cup 2026 Ambassador.
Governor Lemus said that the World Cup will be an opportunity to promote Jalisco in the eyes of the world; a historic watershed moment, transforming the city and boosting its economic impact. He added that Guadalajara will be the best venue of the 16 cities hosting the World Cup.
“Thank you for placing your trust in us, because it is not easy to trust in the organization of major events in conjunction with governments, but what we have received from the Mexican Soccer Federation and the Mexican National Team is backing, trust, and support, and the truth is that we are going to respond to this in spades,” Pablo Lemus said.
Lemus Navarro claimed that the Guadalajara venue will be the most Mexican, as Jalisco is the birthplace of the symbols that distinguish Mexico internationally, as well as the home of prominent figures in sports.
Noteworthy projects include the rehabilitation of Carretera a Chapala, for entry into the city, as well as the renovation of Camino Real a Colima, as an alternative route for the southern part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (AMG).
The work being done at the Minerva Roundabout will make it a tourist-friendly spot for both pedestrians and drivers, with the construction of a pedestrian walkway and the implementation of safe crossings. For citiwide mobility, Lines 4 and 5 of public transportation are expected to be operating.
He said that more than 3 million people are expected to attend this Guadalajara venue, generating an economic impact of 20 billion pesos (about 1.1 billion USD) with 78,000 hotel rooms available and more than 12,000 under construction, projecting 98% hotel occupancy in the AMG and other municipalities.
In the heart of Zapopan, the Plaza de las Américas will also undergo public infrastructure work, while the Paseo Chivas will see improvements to the pedestrian space connecting Periférico with the Circuito de la Primavera, at the Guadalajara Stadium, adding improvements to Avenida Aviación.
Currently, 48 national teams will participate in 104 matches, representing a 62 percent increase over the previous World Cup, held in Qatar in 2022.
The Guadalajara Stadium will host four matches of the 2026 World Cup, including Mexico’s highly anticipated second group match with the Mexican National Soccer Team on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in addition to matches on June 11, 23, and 26.
Translated and edited by Debra Fairbanks
