Workshop held in Mexico City on 15 and 16 October
Focus on strengthening Member Associations’ technical expertise, infrastructure management and knowledge-sharing
Classroom and practical sessions held at the Mexican Football Association’s High Performance Centre (CAR) and Mexico City stadium
Mexico has hosted the in-person workshop of the FIFA Campus Infrastructure Essentials Programme, the first technical initiative of its kind designed to help FIFA Member Associations (MAs) improve the planning, maintenance and sustainability of their sports facilities.
An online preparatory session on 8 October set the stage for two days of in-person learning on 15 and 16 October 2026 at the Mexican Football Association’s (FMF) High Performance Centre (CAR) and Mexico City Stadium, which has been a FIFA World Cup™ venue on three occasions.
The workshop brought together 52 participants, including representatives from 23 FIFA MAs (13 from Concacaf and 10 from CONMEBOL), as well as FIFA specialists and international technical experts.
FIFA Forward and FIFA Campus working hand in hand
The programme brings together infrastructure funding and specialist technical training. FIFA Director of Member Association Services Tom Gorissen explained how the two complement each other: “Through the FIFA Forward Programme, we provide our Member Associations with the financial resources to develop football infrastructure: facilities where women, men, girls and boys can play. However, it is equally important to recognise that delivering these projects requires people with the knowledge and expertise to manage and maintain them over the long term,” he said.
“That is where FIFA Campus comes in. Through hands-on learning and opportunities to share experiences and best practices with peers, we equip infrastructure professionals with the knowledge to lead projects from initial planning through to long-term maintenance, ensuring that every investment serves football and communities for years to come.”
José Rodríguez, Head of the FIFA Regional Office in Panama, highlighted the importance of sharing practical knowledge across the region. “Football infrastructure is about more than building facilities; it is about equipping people with the knowledge to plan, operate and maintain them effectively over the long term,” he explained.
“By bringing together experts and Member Associations from across the Americas to share experiences and practical knowledge, we strengthen our ability to make informed decisions and create sustainable football environments that deliver lasting value for future generations.”
Sharing knowledge and regional success stories
The online session held on 8 October helped set the scene ahead of the workshop, highlighting key information about topics such as infrastructure project delivery through the FIFA Forward Programme, sustainability and climate risk management, safety and security, stadium infrastructure and overlay delivery for major events. It also provided an introduction to the FIFA Campus Infrastructure Learning Essentials Course and the programme as a whole.
The workshop gave MAs a forum to exchange ideas and practical approaches, with plenty of examples of what development funding can achieve. Among those taking part were delegates from Mexico, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, all of which were recognised at the inaugural FIFA Forward Awards 2026 – Americas edition. They shared first-hand examples of their work on training centres, refereeing technology, energy efficiency and elite-level playing surfaces.
Day one: modernisation and technology at the CAR
The in-person workshop got under way on 15 October at the CAR. At the opening ceremony, FMF President Commissioner Mikel Arriola welcomed the opportunity to host the event. “At the Mexican Football Association, we are committed to infrastructure, and it is an honour to host this FIFA workshop, the first of its kind on our continent,” he said.
Arriola thanked FIFA for supporting the modernisation of the CAR, a project that saw MXN 400 million invested in accommodation, medical services and expanded facilities, as well as the refurbishment of its pitches.
FIFA Director of Member Associations Americas Jair Bertoni praised the hosts’ commitment to the initiative. “I would like to congratulate the Mexican Member Association on their refurbished, state-of-the-art technical centre, supported by the FIFA Forward Programme, and thank them for the warm welcome extended to the other Member Associations. By opening their doors and sharing their experience, they have brought these discussions to life, demonstrating what can be achieved through a clear vision and strong collaboration.”
FIFA Senior Member Associations Infrastructure Manager Walter Holleran pointed to the investment’s tangible benefits. “The impact of FIFA Forward funding was clear to see at the CAR, an excellent example of how strategic investment in infrastructure delivers lasting benefits for football.”
He added: “The Mexican Football Association’s award-winning hybrid pitch, the first of its kind built in North America, Central America and the Caribbean with FIFA Forward support, demonstrates what can be achieved through a shared vision and teamwork. It was also rewarding to see how FIFA’s new course gave 23 Member Associations a valuable opportunity to share what they have learnt and strengthen their professional networks.”
Sessions at the CAR included presentations by Gensler on designing high-performance complexes, practical work on hybrid and natural turf management led by Ewen Hodge (FIFA) and Juan Vázquez (FMF), and talks on lighting engineering by Musco. Participants also took to the pitch for a friendly match.
Day two: operations and legacy at Mexico City Stadium
On 16 October, delegates visited Mexico City Stadium, which hosted the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The visit focused on pitch operations and the maintenance of hybrid playing surfaces at FIFA World Cup stadiums.
The programme concluded with a series of expert presentations. Signify discussed sports lighting systems and regulatory requirements. Andrés García (BaAm/FIFA) addressed the delivery of operational overlays, while Rodrigo Yavarone (Count Us In / Terra FC) presented environmental sustainability strategies for football.
The workshop concluded with delegates receiving official FIFA certificates. By bringing together 52 professionals from 23 Concacaf and CONMEBOL MAs, the programme strengthened technical cooperation across the Americas and reinforced FIFA’s commitment to equipping their MAs with the tools and operational standards they need to maximise the impact and lifespan of their sports infrastructure.