Mascots Bring Excitement to the World Cup for Health

Reporter: Adda Avendaño / Photographer: Javier González

Ahead of National Public Health Week, a friendly soccer match promotes healthy habits

In an exciting and closely contested match decided by penalty kicks, the CECyT team—made up of mascots from several schools of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN)—defeated Team Rest of the World, formed by representatives from educational and health institutions across the country, during the exhibition soccer match World Cup of Mascots for Health.

With 29 days remaining before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, and alongside it, the “Social World Cup 2026,” promoted by the Presidency of Mexico, public institutions and Mexican society are working together to leave a legacy not only in education, science, art, and culture, but also in public health, explained Dr. Daniel Aceves Villagrán, Olympic medalist and Director General of Public Health Policies.

Accompanied by the Director of Sports Activities at IPN, Carlos Aarón Fuentes Ambriz; the representative of PAHO/WHO in Mexico, José Moya Medina; and the Director General of the National Lottery, Olivia Salomón, Aceves Villagrán highlighted that more than 1,100 events related to the Social World Cup in Health have already been held, reflecting the participation and collective effort of all sectors of Mexico’s National Health System.

In this context, he announced that National Public Health Week will take place from May 23 to 30, mobilizing more than 20 million people around a Social World Cup initiative that promotes health, self-care, and a culture of wellness.

Following the Light Walk with Values, an activity intended to promote values through a torch symbolizing peace and harmonious coexistence, the teams were introduced. Participating mascots represented the Centers for Scientific and Technological Studies (CECyT) 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 13.

Mascots from the Ministry of Health, National Lottery, Ministry of Defense (Sedena), the National College of Professional Technical Education (Conalep), Águilas Blancas, Burros Blancos of IPN, as well as the Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería y Ciencias Sociales y Administrativas (UPIICSA), Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (ESIME) Azcapotzalco Unit, and the Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Energía y Movilidad (UPIEM), also joined the event.

The “Edel Ojeda Malpica” Olympic Gymnasium at IPN came alive with every move made by the mascots. During the first half, Team Rest of the World took the lead with goals scored by Cachito from the National Lottery and Luna from Conalep. In the second half, Team CECyT equalized thanks to goals from Zorro of CECyT 13.

During the penalty shootout, the winning goal was scored by Upiixcoatl from UPIICSA, while Nano, the bear mascot from UPIEM, delivered a memorable performance as goalkeeper.

After awarding the participants, National Lottery Director Olivia Salomón encouraged people to ensure that the excitement of soccer extends beyond stadiums and screens into schools, communities, families, and public spaces where healthy habits, coexistence, and collective well-being need to be strengthened.

“Seeing our mascot Cachito sharing the field with so many institutions committed to the well-being of the Mexican people sends a powerful message: when institutions work together and connect with people in different ways, causes can go much further. Sports unite, health brings people together, and joy can also transform communities,” she stated.