Mexico City’s World Cup Extravaganza: 87.7 Million Pesos, Fatalities, and Financial Discrepancies
The Mexico City government, under the leadership of Clara Brugada Molina, channeled a staggering 87.7 million pesos into the installation of screens, stages, and infrastructure to broadcast the Mexican National Team’s matches during the 2026 World Cup. This revelation comes from a journalistic investigation by LatinUs, which reviewed obtained contracts. The funds were disbursed by the Mexico City Secretariat of Culture, controversially categorized as ‘cultural events,’ with installations spanning the Historic Center and Paseo de la Reforma. The stated aim was to create public spaces for citizens to follow the national team’s journey.
The Cost of Public Viewing: A Breakdown
The initial phase saw an expenditure of 20.853 million pesos for nine screens strategically placed in key locations such as Pino Suárez, 20 de Noviembre, Madero, 5 de Mayo, 16 de Septiembre, and Alameda Central. These locations hosted the live broadcasts of Mexico’s matches, along with the semi-finals and final of the tournament. Following the initial games, the infrastructure was reportedly relocated to Paseo de la Reforma due to the significant concentration of fans.
For Mexico’s third match against the Czech Republic, an additional 21.512 million pesos was allocated to erect three stages and five screens on Paseo de la Reforma. Subsequently, for the crucial knockout match against Ecuador, the government contracted two stages, six large screens, and thirty smaller screens, incurring a cost of 17 million pesos.
The broadcast of this particular match led to a massive public gathering, with authorities reporting over a million people across various points in the capital. Tragically, following the celebrations, three individuals lost their lives due to asphyxiation amidst the overcrowding reported in the vicinity of Paseo de la Reforma.
Escalation of Screens and Unanswered Questions
In anticipation of Mexico’s match against England, the capital’s government further amplified its investment, contracting the installation of three stages and an impressive 37 screens of varying sizes, amounting to 20 million pesos. This widespread distribution of equipment was presented as a measure to disperse fans and mitigate overcrowding in specific areas of Paseo de la Reforma.
The journalistic investigation also noted the presence of Ocesa and its subsidiary Logra’s logos on some of the installed equipment during a site visit, suggesting their involvement in the services provided for the later matches.
A Financial Discrepancy Demanding Clarification
A significant financial discrepancy has emerged from the available information. The four detailed expenditures – 20.853 million, 21.512 million, 17 million, and 20 million pesos – cumulatively amount to 79.365 million pesos. However, the overall reported figure for the project stands at 87.763 million pesos. This leaves an unexplained difference of 8.398 million pesos. A comprehensive understanding of this disparity would necessitate a full review of the contracts and their annexes to identify any additional services, installations, or concepts that account for the total sum.
As the city reflects on this grand expenditure, the tragic loss of life during the celebrations and the lingering financial questions cast a shadow over the World Cup viewing experience. The public awaits a clear explanation for the financial discrepancies and a thorough review of the safety protocols implemented during such large-scale public events.
Source: https://sociedad-noticias.com/2026/09/09/gobierno-de-la-cdmx-gasta-87-7-mdp-en-pantallas-para-transmitir-el-mundial-2026/
