Playa del Carmen Mayor Joins Sheinbaum’s ‘Mundial Social’ Soccer Program

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — With less than a month until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, Mayor Estefanía Mercado inaugurated the first two soccer fields in the Pescadores neighborhood under the Mundial Social program, a national initiative that promotes sports as a tool for peacebuilding and community development.

Joined by Alberto López, director of the Municipal Sports Institute, Mercado said the project reflects her administration’s commitment to providing safe, dignified spaces for children and youth across the city.

“When a girl or boy steps onto a field, they also step onto a path of discipline, dreams, and well-being,” Mercado said. “That’s why we work every day to bring sports to every corner of Playa del Carmen.”

The mayor credited President Claudia Sheinbaum for championing the Mundial Social program, which uses soccer and other sports to strengthen social fabric and prevent violence. She also thanked Governor Mara Lezama for supporting the transformation of public spaces into community gathering spots.

Mercado announced that the two new fields mark the beginning of a broader rollout, with seven more fields planned in other neighborhoods across the municipality.

López said the Sports Institute will continue working to promote physical activity and identify new talent while creating safe environments for youth development.