World Cup 2026: Mexico City Shines in Vibrant Orange and Gold to Welcome the Global Football Celebration

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Mexico, the Mexico City government's Environmental Management Agency (Sedema) stated that growers in the Xochimilco area adjusted their planting timelines from this past February and March to ensure the flowers would be in full bloom exactly when the planet's premier football festival takes place.

This is part of an urban beautification and cultural identity promotion plan as the country hosts the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will officially commence on June 11 with an opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca (Banorte) Stadium in the capital.

In addition to marigolds, the city government is also planting and arranging various other ornamental species such as geraniums, lavender, rosemary, and characteristic decorative flowers along avenues, parks, and public spaces.

The San Luis Tlaxialtemalco area in Xochimilco, renowned for its traditional flower cultivation, has been selected as the supply site for marigolds for the event. According to Sedema Director Julia Álvarez Icaza Ramírez, altering the growing cycle of a flower that typically peaks in October and November poses an unprecedented challenge for local growers.

Thanks to early planting, hundreds of thousands of potted marigolds are now ready to be delivered to key locations ahead of the tournament's opening. Paseo de la Reforma, an iconic avenue of Mexico City, is the first area to be adorned with marigolds.

According to local media, the urban beautification program for the 2026 World Cup is expected to use over 1 million ornamental plants and flowers, with marigolds alone accounting for more than 300,000 plants. All of these are supplied by local producers in the Xochimilco region.

Marigolds have long been considered a distinctive cultural emblem of Mexico, closely tied to the Day of the Dead festival — a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage. With their vivid orange-gold color and characteristic fragrance, incorporating marigolds into the city’s decoration for the 2026 World Cup is expected to give international visitors greater opportunities to explore and understand Mexican cultural identity, while also generating new income streams for local flower growers.

Alongside landscaping decorations, Mexico City will also organize numerous cultural and artistic events as well as fan experience spaces throughout the World Cup period. A standout among these is the FIFA Fan Festival, held at Zócalo Square from June 11 to July 19, featuring live match broadcasts, art performances, and community interaction activities.