Mikel Arriola acknowledges FMF workers after the 2026 World Cup

Mikel Arriola, the commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), publicly acknowledged the efforts of its staff during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The FMF officially concluded the process of hosting the tournament and began planning for the next cycle leading up to the 2030 World Cup. Approximately 700 employees participated in a meeting held at the High Performance Center on Thursday, reviewing activities conducted before and during the World Cup and gaining insight into the initial steps of the new sports strategy led by Rafael Márquez. The gathering was chaired by Arriola, who highlighted the contributions of various departments within the federation, including sporting, administrative, medical, security, maintenance, and logistics teams. He emphasized that the goal throughout the World Cup was to provide optimal conditions for the technical team, led by Javier Aguirre, and the players to focus solely on competition. In the sports review, the FMF noted that Mexico achieved its best group stage performance in a World Cup, earning nine points with three consecutive victories. They also set an unprecedented record of four games without conceding a goal between the group stage and the round of 16. Additionally, the national team secured their first win in the knockout phase in 40 years and recorded four consecutive wins in a World Cup, a feat previously unachieved. Among the host nations, Mexico finished ninth, surpassing both the United States and Canada, and improved 13 positions compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. With the World Cup behind them, the federation also marked the start of preparations for the 2030 World Cup, which will be overseen by Márquez. Having served as part of Aguirre’s coaching staff during the tournament hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, Márquez brings valuable experience to this new phase. “We have a very positive cut and must continue working along these lines. This doesn’t stop,” Arriola stated during the meeting. The event ended with an official photograph featuring officials and staff members of the federation, symbolizing the closure of the 2026 World Cup cycle and the commencement of the new project for the Mexican national team. The transition signifies a continuation of progress and commitment to future success in international football.