The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente or PROFEPA) and the FIFA office in Mexico announced on March 19, 2026, the launch of "Gol por el Ambiente," a temporary recognition program addressed to companies and public and private institutions.

The program is designed to encourage and publicly recognize preventive actions and environmental leadership during the 2026 Social World Cup in response to the significant increase in tourism, product consumption and waste generation expected during this period.

The initiative focuses on the following priority areas:

  • circular management of single-use plastics
  • circular management of used textiles
  • integration of biodiversity and nature-based solutions

Participation is managed through the Gol por el Ambiente initiative, and reported results are validated by PROFEPA.

Official recognitions will be valid throughout 2026, and they may be incorporated into environmental compliance strategies and sustainability initiatives, as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks.

Gol por el Ambiente Initiative

Gol por el Ambiente is a voluntary, preventive and collaborative campaign in Mexico designed to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the 2026 Social World Cup, while publicly recognizing organizations that implement environmental best practices with verifiable results.

The initiative promotes self-regulation, the transition toward circular economy models and integration of biodiversity considerations into productive activities, within a context of high national and international visibility.

Eligible Participants

Eligible participants include the following:

  • companies of any size and sector
  • public and private institutions
  • educational institutions and civil society organizations

Participants must develop concrete environmental improvement actions and register them for validation and recognition.

Participation Process

The participation process includes the following:

  • registration through the Gol por el Ambiente initiative, including general information, supporting documentation and up to three environmental improvement projects
  • implementation of actions during the established period
  • submission of results, along with a satisfaction survey
  • validation by PROFEPA, which may request additional information
  • issuance of recognitions in accordance with the program's criteria

Types of Recognition

The program will provide the following types of recognition:

  • Gol por el Ambiente Recognition. Granted upon project registration; valid through August 31, 2026
  • Honorary Mention. Distinction awarded to outstanding actions; valid through December 31, 2026
  • Certificate of Environmental Benefits. Granted when results and compliance with objectives are validated; valid through December 31, 2026

Reference Timeline

The timeline for program milestones is as follows:

  • Publication of Guidelines - March 19, 2026
  • Project Submission Period - March 19 to June 8, 2026
  • Implementation Period - March 19 to August 16, 2026
  • Results Reporting Deadline - no later than August 17, 2026
  • Publication of Results and Mentions - no later than September 30, 2026

Strategic Considerations

This program represents a concrete opportunity to showcase environmental initiatives, whether already underway or in development, enabling the leadership and dedication invested in a project to benefit from the guidance of Mexico's federal environmental authorities within a framework capable of fostering positive synergy.

In addition, the program opens long-term institutional communication channels and strengthens reputational positioning during a period of high public exposure.

Gol por el Ambiente may offer a unique window to transform environmental actions into strategic, regulatory and reputational advantages, leaving a positive legacy that extends well beyond the 2026 World Cup.