Mexico, a co-host of the upcoming World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, has invested 400 million pesos, approximately $22 million, into renovating its training center, the Centro de Alto Rendimiento, as the country prepares for its first World Cup match on June 11.
A Legacy Built for the Tournament
The renovated facility was officially reopened on Saturday, March 20, 2026, in Mexico City. The Mexican Football Federation aims for optimal preparation and to elevate standards for the national team. FMF president Mikel Arriola said the investment reflects their responsibility for the 2026 World Cup and is intended as a legacy for the development of national teams in the coming years.
The Centro de Alto Rendimiento, also known as the High Performance Center, has served as the training headquarters for Mexico's national teams since 2003. Training for players from the domestic league at the High Performance Center is scheduled to begin on May 6.
What Was Expanded
The renovation expanded the senior team accommodation from 20 to 45 rooms and added a 29-room area for youth national teams. A new building was constructed to house an expanded gym, growing from 1,200 to 6,000 square meters. The new building also includes a medical area, locker rooms, coaches’ offices, a sports intelligence area, and physiotherapy and hydrotherapy facilities.
Daniel García, FMF real estate manager, said that almost all equipment in the new gym is new. The dining room capacity increased from 70 to 210 people. The training center features five playing fields, three of which are regulation size and two smaller.
FIFA’s View of the Site
One field incorporates state-of-the-art hybrid technology, similar to that recently installed at Azteca Stadium, which was also renovated for the World Cup. FIFA staff have reportedly commented that the CAR field is "the field in all of Mexico."
Javier Aguirre, the current Mexico coach, was part of the national team that reached the quarterfinals in the 1986 World Cup, matching Mexico's performance in the 1970 World Cup. Aguirre will now attempt to achieve similar results as a coach.