The 2026 World Cup projects an unprecedented operation in scale, coverage and global demand. However, as occurs in any event of high economic and symbolic value, the most relevant risks do not always originate in the sporting field.
Mexico, along with the United States and Canada, will not only be the host, but also the protagonist in ticket sales: FIFA announced last week that more than one million tickets have been purchased during the first phase.
The massive enthusiasm also brings together other types of actors: digital fraud professionals, who in this context could be called “montamundial”, criminals who create the false hope of access to tickets to defraud.
Massive expectation creates ideal conditions for fraudulent operations: cloned websites, social networks with non-existent promotions and fictitious agencies that promise tourist packages with guaranteed tickets are part of the fraudulent repertoire.
Technical sophistication combined with lack of user verification. The result is predictable: victims with invalid tickets, lost money and no effective legal recourse.
For fraud, criminals take advantage of seasonal events, whether sporting or musical.
The International Football Association Federation (FIFA) has established an exclusive channel for ticket sales – FIFA.com/tickets – with mandatory registration through the FIFA ID system.
Any process outside that official route lacks legitimacy. Advance purchase through unauthorized means constitutes a scam.
To avoid falling into the hands of the “montamundial” basic digital security criteria are recommended: avoid advance offers, verify the authenticity of the pages, distrust promotions on social networks and use payment methods that offer protection. The use of agencies should be limited to those formally registered.
In Mexico City, Clara Brugada’s government has reinforced prevention and attention to fraud attempts, through channels such as the C5 lines against extortion and fraud, 55 5036 3301, or 089 for anonymous complaints.
Thus there is an opportunity to get a red card for the “montamundiales”.
About the author:
Salvador Guerrero Chiprés is General Coordinator of the Command, Control, Computing, Communications and Citizen Contact Center (C5) of Mexico City.
www.c5.cdmx.gob.mx
Twitter: @C5_CDMX
The opinions expressed are solely the responsibility of their authors and are completely independent of the position and editorial line of Forbes Mexico.
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