Tec de Monterrey Student to Connect Mexico City Stadium for 2026 World Cup
Mexico City, June 23 – Santiago Ramírez, a sixth-semester Computer Technologies Engineering (ITC) student at Tec de Monterrey, Mexico City campus, has been selected by Cisco to participate in a program in collaboration with FIFA. This initiative will see him contribute to the technological infrastructure that will support the 2026 World Cup matches at the Mexico City Stadium.
What began as a call primarily for final-year students turned into a significant professional opportunity for Ramírez. He was the only sixth-semester student among several eighth-semester applicants to be chosen for this prestigious program.
An Unexpected Opportunity for a Young Talent
“I was very surprised because the call was aimed at eighth-semester students, and I was the only sixth-semester student applying along with several eighth-semester students,” shared Ramírez. The call was disseminated through the Cisco Networking Academy, a platform that collaborates with Tec de Monterrey to offer courses, materials, and certifications to students interested in information technology and networks.
The selection process was rigorous, involving essays, recommendation letters, and a video presentation of projects completed during his academic career. Santiago was one of only three students nationwide chosen for this experience. “I was very nervous throughout the process, but I felt very happy when I received the news,” he added.
Technology Behind One of the World’s Biggest Events
As part of the program, Ramírez will be involved in tasks related to labeling, cabling, and configuring the stadium’s connectivity infrastructure. His responsibilities will include installing and configuring access points, devices crucial for distributing wireless signals to ensure thousands of attendees remain connected during the World Cup matches.
“What excites me most is applying everything I’ve learned in a real environment,” commented Santiago. He will also work with routing equipment, switches, and network configurations that are integral to the venue’s technological operations. “At university, we work a lot with theory, computers, and simulators, but here I will be interacting with real equipment and large-scale infrastructure,” he noted.
A Passion Uniting Technology and Football
Beyond his interest in networks, Santiago has been passionate about football since childhood. Following World Cups, collecting albums, and experiencing the atmosphere surrounding the ultimate sporting competition have been part of his memories for years. He believes this opportunity represents the perfect combination of his two greatest interests.
“This experience combines two things I am passionate about: networks and football,” expressed the student. Ramírez also highlighted that participating in a project linked with Cisco is a significant step for his professional aspirations. Since his fourth semester, after an academic visit to the company, he began to envision developing his career in networking and eventually joining the company.
“Knowing that I will now be involved in a project related to Cisco excites me a lot, and I feel it can positively impact my professional future,” he commented.
The Support Network Behind His Success
For Santiago, reaching this opportunity would not have been possible without the support of those who guided him through the process. He particularly thanked his professors, Alejandra Flores, Irving Mendiola, and José Molina, who encouraged him to apply and supported his candidacy. He also acknowledged the constant support of his family, especially his mother, Wendy Niño, and his father, Mario Ramírez. “Without my support network, I wouldn’t be here,” he affirmed.
To those looking to participate in high-impact programs, Santiago advises trusting in one’s abilities and daring to apply, even when opportunities seem out of reach. “Many times, one doubts their own abilities, but if opportunities arise, it’s for a reason,” he stated.
In the coming weeks, the student will face the challenge of balancing academic demands with program activities, especially in the weeks leading up to the matches. However, he believes the experience will be worth every effort. If he had to describe this opportunity in one word, Santiago would choose: “impactful.”
He leaves a message for the Tec community: “Effort and discipline always have their reward. No matter all the sacrifices you make. In the end, life will reward you appropriately.”
