AICM ranks 11th among the 16 airports for the 2026 World Cup

With 11 months to go before the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, Mexican airports rank among those with the lowest volume of operations and passengers compared to those in other host cities.

Mexico City International Airport (AICM) ranked 11th out of 16 with 322,427 operations in 2024. Guadalajara ranked 13th with 154,862 flights, and Monterrey closed the list with 112,584 operations, according to data from Cirium and the Airports Council International (ACI).

In contrast, Atlanta Airport topped the ranking with 766,787 operations, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth (743,203) and Los Angeles (514,031). Dallas will host nine matches, including a semifinal, and will be home to FIFA's communications center.

In terms of passenger numbers, Mexican airports also appear at the bottom of the list. The AICM ranked tenth with 45.3 million passengers, Guadalajara 14th with 17.8 million, and Monterrey 15th with 13.5 million, just above Kansas City (12.1 million).

At the top of the list are Atlanta (108 million), Dallas (87.8), and Los Angeles (76.5). Of the Canadian venues, Toronto Pearson transported 46.8 million (9th place) and Vancouver 26.2 million (13th).

Ahead of the tournament, Mexican airports are undergoing modernization. In the case of the AICM, its remodeling will be supported by the AIFA and the airports of Toluca and Cuernavaca, to serve visitors who will attend the Azteca Stadium, where five matches will be played, including the World Cup opening on June 11. Guadalajara and Monterrey will also upgrade their facilities as part of the national plan.