Overview
- Mexico will complete its tune‑up with Ghana on May 22 in Mexico (city TBA), Australia on May 30 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and Serbia on June 4 in Mexico, following February and March fixtures against Iceland, Portugal and Belgium.
- FIFA registered 344 World Cup‑related trademarks with Mexico’s IMPI and warned that unauthorized commercial use could trigger lawsuits, fines or business closures.
- A preliminary study projects $556 million in tourist spending across U.S. host cities, led by East Rutherford ($67 million), with restaurants accounting for about half of the outlays, followed by lodging and transport.
- Key schedule markers are set: Mexico opens versus South Africa at Estadio Azteca on June 11, and the final is slated for July 19 at MetLife Stadium under the New York New Jersey Stadium event branding.
- Final qualification will be decided in March via single‑venue intercontinental playoffs in Mexico, including Bolivia vs. Surinam on March 26 in Monterrey with a potential March 31 meeting against Iraq for a World Cup berth.