Mexico Mobilizes 99,000 for World Cup—Largest Peacetime Security Operation

Mexico's Defense Ministry is deploying Plan Kukulcán, a security operation spanning nearly 99,000 armed forces and civilian personnel across three host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The mobilization—comprising roughly 20,000 military and National Guard troops plus 55,000 civilian security staff—represents one of the country's largest peacetime deployments. General Román Villalvazo Barrios heads unified command across federal agencies, taking direct control of stadiums, airports, and routes hosting FIFA delegations.