MEXICO CITY — Nearly 10,000 soccer fans gathered in Mexico City’s historic main plaza on Sunday, shattering the global record for the world’s biggest soccer training session as the nation gears up to host this June’s World Cup opening match.
The iconic Zocalo square transformed into an enormous outdoor training facility where 9,500 participants followed along with instructors in coordinated soccer exercises. The massive crowd practiced ball-handling skills and participated in synchronized drills designed to celebrate athletics and bring the community together.
Guinness World Records official Alfredo Arista Rueda was on hand to verify the achievement during Sunday’s event.
“You are officially amazing. Officially Amazing! Congratulations!,” Rueda announced to the enthusiastic crowd, who responded with cheers and threw confetti skyward.
Event organizers noted that Sunday’s turnout demolished the previous world record established in Seattle during June 2025, where 1,038 people participated in a similar soccer training session.
Attendees expressed excitement that the record-setting event helps build anticipation for the upcoming World Cup.
“The Azteca Stadium has hosted Pelé and Maradona; the World Cup here is magical,” commented soccer instructor Mario Alberto Álvarez Acosta.
Mexico previously welcomed World Cup tournaments in 1970 and 1996, events where both the Brazilian and Argentine soccer legends claimed championship victories.
Local resident Sandra López Figueroa, who described herself as a housewife, said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“I had fun; I did things I didn’t even know I could do,” López Figueroa shared.
