Cancún, Mexico — With the FIFA World Cup 2026 drawing nearer, the Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, is developing a strategy to position the state as a key destination for the world's most important football tournament.
In collaboration with the federal Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) and the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ), various actions are being undertaken to promote the destination to visitors, highlighting its turquoise blue sea and white sand beaches.
Another advantage for the state is that it possesses the only airport with direct flights to all of the World Cup host cities where FIFA matches will be played, making it a mandatory stop for the millions of tourists attending the event.
“We are the only airport with direct flights to all of the World Cup host cities. Furthermore, Quintana Roo is much more than sun and beach; our tourist, historical, natural, and gastronomic attractions make us a mandatory stop for football fans who will visit Mexico, the United States, and Canada in 2026,” emphasized Bernardo Cueto.
Due to the large number of airlines operating at Cancún International Airport, departures to sites such as Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara—World Cup host cities in the country—are almost daily and at various times.
It is worth noting that Cancún's airport is the second most important in Mexico, only after the capital's. However, in terms of international traffic, it is the most important in Mexico and one of the leading airports in Latin America.
From Cancún, travelers can reach Canadian cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and Quebec.
In the United States, it lands in more than 20 different cities. Among them:
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Los Angeles, California
- San Francisco, California
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Denver, Colorado
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Miami, Florida
- Orlando, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Chicago, Illinois
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Detroit, Michigan
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Kansas City, Missouri
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Newark, New Jersey
- New York
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Columbus, Ohio
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Austin, Texas
- Dallas, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- San Antonio, Texas
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Seattle, Washington
- Washington, D.C.
For this reason, Bernardo Cueto, together with the CPTQ, has already initiated conversations with FIFA to secure an official “FIFA Fan Fest” in Cancún. The FIFA Fan Fest is a meeting point where all football fans enjoy matches on a mega-screen surrounded by various activities, creating a unique atmosphere full of emotions during the World Cup.
Although this event has not yet been finalized, it is a viable proposal; work is underway on the design of a comprehensive package that includes tickets, activations, and cultural and gastronomic activities, indicated Rodrigo de la Peña, president of the Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association (AHCPMIM).
Finally, it was revealed that Quintana Roo authorities are already in negotiations with various airlines to create new direct routes from Spain, the United Kingdom, and Poland, with the goal of facilitating the arrival of foreign visitors during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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