Global
EU
USA
PA
PAK
MEAThe 2026 FIFA World Cup represents one of the biggest technological challenges in Mexico’s recent history. Beyond stadium operations and the arrival of millions of visitors, the country will face unprecedented demand for connectivity, data transmission, smart mobility, and cybersecurity. During the Mexico 2026: The Business Behind the Game event organized by The Business Year, technology industry leaders agreed that this scenario also creates a unique opportunity to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
The panel Critical Digital Infrastructure for Mega-events and Beyond featured Paola Becerra, Alejandro Preinfalk, Juan Carlos Carrillo, and Jorge Mandujano, moderated by Yassef Lotina. One of the key messages from the discussion was that the technological investments associated with the tournament must become a long-term foundation for strengthening Mexico’s competitiveness and digital resilience.
Qatar 2022 provided critical lessons for World Cup connectivity
During his presentation From Qatar 2022 to Mexico 2026, Jorge Mandujano, CEO of Beyond Technology, shared the Mexican company’s experience during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where it participated in optical infrastructure and data transmission projects designed to support the massive digital traffic generated throughout the tournament.
Mandujano explained that Qatar faced significant challenges due to limitations in optical capacity and connectivity, especially considering that millions of users simultaneously relied on mobile applications, digital services, and streaming platforms. This situation forced the rapid deployment of technology projects to guarantee operational continuity and communication stability.
Based on that experience, the executive pointed out that Mexico is starting from a much stronger position. The country’s digital infrastructure, technological proximity to the United States, and the evolution of its telecommunications sector provide greater capabilities and higher levels of technological maturity to support an event of this scale.
He also emphasized that the challenge for 2026 will be considerably larger. While Qatar welcomed around 1.5 million visitors during the tournament, Mexico, the United States, and Canada will face a far more complex regional operation, with millions of people moving between the three countries while constantly relying on digital services.
What Mexico needs to ensure cybersecurity and technological resilience during the tournament
One of the most relevant topics discussed during the panel was the importance of building resilient infrastructure capable of operating under critical conditions. Jorge Mandujano warned that a global event of this magnitude will inevitably attract cyberattack attempts and threats targeting networks, platforms, and digital services.
In that context, he explained that security can no longer be understood as a centralized or isolated model. System segmentation and risk fragmentation will be essential to reduce operational impact and ensure continuity in the event of incidents.
The CEO of Beyond Technology also highlighted the importance of contingency plans, constant monitoring, and technology governance models capable of coordinating operations between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Infrastructure integration, information exchange, and network management will require unprecedented coordination among companies, operators, and authorities.
Another major point addressed was the exponential growth in data traffic expected during the tournament. The massive use of mobile devices, streaming platforms, mobility applications, and digital systems will demand high-capacity networks capable of responding in real time without interruptions.
Artificial intelligence and digital transformation in Mexican companies toward 2026
Beyond physical infrastructure, the conversation also focused on the impact artificial intelligence will have on businesses and the operation of major international events.
Mandujano noted that the speed of technological change is forcing organizations to develop new adaptation capabilities. From his perspective, companies will need to unlearn traditional processes and adopt much more agile models to remain competitive.
The executive explained that artificial intelligence is no longer limited to technical departments and is now transforming virtually every business function, from human resources and administration to logistics, data analysis, and customer service.
The panel also addressed the challenge of technological education and workforce training. Participants agreed that AI adoption will generate a profound labor transformation in the coming years, forcing millions of people to develop new digital skills.
In this context, Mexico faces a major opportunity to strengthen its digital maturity and accelerate technology adoption across companies of all sizes, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses where significant digital transformation gaps still exist. Part of the challenge also lies in the lack of a national educational strategy that incorporates digital platforms and artificial intelligence as everyday learning tools.
During the discussion, participants highlighted the growing disconnect between what many students learn in classrooms and the skills currently required in a highly competitive and digitalized labor market. In some cases, the use of artificial intelligence tools is still penalized in academic activities, when the real challenge should be teaching students how to use these technologies responsibly, ethically, and strategically without replacing human analysis, judgment, and critical thinking.
The technological legacy the 2026 FIFA World Cup could leave in Mexico
One of the event’s strongest conclusions was that the technological investments linked to the World Cup should not be limited to solving temporary needs. The infrastructure deployed for the tournament can become a long-term development platform for smart cities, connected mobility, digital services, public transportation, security, and industrial modernization.
Jorge Mandujano emphasized that every technological shift creates an opportunity for countries to accelerate growth and improve their global positioning. From his perspective, artificial intelligence and digitalization are redefining the rules of international competitiveness, opening the possibility for Mexico to make a significant leap in innovation and technological development.
The panel concluded with a clear message: the country has the infrastructure, experience, and capabilities required to meet the demands of the 2026 World Cup. The real challenge will be turning this moment into a long-term strategy that strengthens digital development well beyond the tournament.
