FIFA Partners with Mexican Artisans for 2026 World Cup Collection

Bringing Mexican Craft Traditions to the World Stage

In a first for the organization, FIFA is working with Mexican artisans and Mexico's National Fund for the Promotion of Handicrafts, known as Fonart, on an official artisanal collection. The project seeks to share Mexican folk art with international visitors through limited-edition pieces that carry distinctive marks authorized by FIFA.

This effort connects directly to communities across Mexico, where families in rural areas and Indigenous groups have long preserved their craft traditions. The collaboration highlights how everyday skills passed down through generations can reach a global audience during the upcoming World Cup.

Artisans from Indigenous Communities Across Nine States

The collection brings together 3,000 pieces created by 11 female and 16 male artisans from Indigenous communities. These makers come from Chiapas, Chihuahua, Durango, México state, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, and Oaxaca. Their work represents ten different craft traditions, including pottery and ceramics, lacquerware, textiles, and Wixárika art.

Each piece includes a label that names the master artisan, notes the place of origin, and identifies the specific artisanal branch. This detail helps buyers understand the personal stories and regional roots behind every item, strengthening the link between the craft and the communities that produce it.

Words from Officials on Culture and Identity

Deputy Culture Minister Marina Núñez Bespalova described the works during the program's presentation. She noted that these are true gems and unique pieces, just like the craftsmanship itself, because they are made using very different techniques from diverse places, all of which are in Mexico.

Rodrigo Ortuzar, head of the Culture and Legacy Office at the Federal Government for the 2026 World Cup, added that when the world arrives, the goal is for visitors to discover something bigger than stadiums and deeper than any scoreboard. He emphasized wanting people to know the soul of Mexico, because the World Cup only lasts 39 days, but a country's identity remains forever.

Sales Begin in June at Fonart Stores

The pieces will be available for sale at Fonart stores from June 5 through July 31. This window gives families, collectors, and visitors a chance to purchase items that carry both artisanal value and official FIFA marks.

For small business owners and artisans in the listed states, the sales period offers a direct way to share their work with a wider public. The timing aligns with growing interest in Mexican cultural expressions ahead of the international event.

Nayarit Presents a Large Wixárika Soccer Ball

Separately, Nayarit unveiled a gigantic soccer ball more than 3 meters high. The ball is decorated with thousands of beads distinctive of the Wixárika art tradition. This installation adds another visible example of how Mexican craft techniques can connect with the spirit of the World Cup.

Communities in Nayarit and the other states involved see these projects as opportunities to keep traditional methods alive while welcoming broader recognition. The focus remains on the artisans themselves and the lasting presence of Mexican identity beyond the 39 days of the tournament.

Tags: FIFA Mexican artisans, Fonart, 2026 World Cup, Indigenous crafts, Wixárika art, Marina Núñez Bespalova, Rodrigo Ortuzar