The Mexico City government will organize the world's largest soccer class leading up to the 2026 World Cup.

▲ Clara Brugada announced a broad program of sports activities in support of the great soccer celebration. Photo courtesy of the Mexico City Government.

Rocio Gonzalez Alvarado

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, September 4, 2025, p. a12

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Mexico City government will hold a community children's soccer tournament, with more than 10,000 matches planned for the capital. It will also hold the world's largest class in the Zócalo, which is expected to break the Guinness World Record held by Seattle in the United States.

After reporting on these activities and the progress of the mobility projects to welcome World Cup attendees, the head of government, Clara Brugada, announced that the opening day of the sporting event—June 11 of next year—will be declared a holiday, as it is a very important day for Mexicans.

At the Old City Hall, the capital's president assured that Mexico City will have a broad program of sports activities, with the goal of ensuring that during the World Cup, the capital's residents will not only be observers, but also protagonists of an event that energizes community life and promotes values, inclusion, and solidarity.

He specified that the world's largest soccer class will be held on March 1st and announced the construction of 100 new fields in different parts of the city, as well as the renovation of another 400, with the goal of ensuring that children, youth, and the entire population have decent and accessible spaces to exercise.

Meanwhile, the local Tourism Secretary, Alejandra Frausto, explained that the children's tournament, called Ollamaliztli (Ball Game), encompasses four categories for girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 16, and will be completely free.

Registration, which will be open throughout September, can be completed at more than 300 Pilares (stairs) throughout the city or online via a QR code. The tournament will begin on October 4 and conclude in February. Winners will receive scholarships, prize packages from the organizers, and participation in official World Cup events. Additionally, scouts will be on hand during the matches to identify talent in the communities.

For his part, the general director of the Mexico City Sports Institute, Javier Peralta, explained that this competition will be held using seven-a-side football, with teams consisting of a maximum of 10 players—seven on the field and three on the bench—allowing for a dynamic and participatory format.

Regarding mobility projects, authorities highlighted the completion of the Suburban Train branch that will run from Felipe Ángeles International Airport to Buenavista, as well as the elevated section of the Toluca Interurban Train to Observatorio, in addition to the implementation of the Elevated Trolleybus line from Santa Martha to Constitución de 1917.

▲ Robinson Canó, second baseman for the Scarlets, celebrates his touchdown. Photo @diablosrojosmx

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, September 4, 2025, p. a31

With a four-run sixth inning, the Diablos Rojos del México defeated the Piratas de Campeche 7-5 in Game 4, tying the Southern Zone Championship Series at 2-2.

In the game at Nelson Barrera Stadium, the Scarlets held a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, and thanks to runs by Rio Ruiz, Carlos Sepúlveda, Allen Córdoba, and Robinson Canó, they made it 7-2. However, the home team responded with three runs in the same inning to make it 7-5.

The Devils and Pirates will meet today at Nelson Barrera Stadium for the fifth game of the series.

With this result, the capital team secured a place in the sixth game of the series next Saturday at their home stadium, the Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium.

In Major League action, the Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 8-7 in a comeback victory led by Cuban Yordan Álvarez and Dominican Jeremy Peña. Álvarez had a career-high four hits, and Peña had two hits and a home run.

The Texans, who trailed as many as 4-1, rallied with a four-run explosion in the eighth inning off reliever Devin Williams.

For the Yankees, Cody Bellinger homered and drove in three runs. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers fell 3-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Catcher Will Smith also suffered an injury.