First Futbots Robotics Cup 2026 Kicks Off

Reporter: Rocío Castañeda / Photographer: Jorge Aguilar

At ESIME Azcapotzalco, technology, innovation, and youthful creativity merge with the passion for soccer.

The First Futbots Robotics Cup 2026 officially began this Thursday at the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (ESIME), Azcapotzalco Unit, where students from various educational institutions across the country demonstrated that when technology, innovation, and creativity meet the passion for soccer, opportunities emerge that transform realities while promoting learning and teamwork.

Opening the event on behalf of the school’s director, Academic Deputy Director Nancy García Zúñiga stated that the competition represents a living laboratory where strategy becomes algorithm, teamwork turns into systems architecture, and talent evolves into practical solutions.

At the regional venue, students from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), including participants from ESIME Azcapotzalco, the Higher School of Computing (ESCOM), the Center for Scientific and Technological Studies (CECyT) No. 8 “Narciso Bassols” and No. 9 “Juan de Dios Bátiz,” as well as the Technological Studies Center (CET) UPIITA Unit 1 “Walter Cross Buchanan,” competed alongside students from Poza Rica, Veracruz, using their small robots in both the free and manual categories.

The specially designed playing fields, organized by Hassivi Yael Rayón Trejo — head of the Information Technology Unit and coordinator of “Chicatanas,” ESIME Azcapotzalco’s robotics club — showcased the teams’ skills during matches supervised by referees to ensure compliance with competition rules.

In addition to the matches, the event featured presentations by the Azcapotzalco SAE Racing Team and Mazda, as well as interactive activities for attendees.

The First Futbots Robotics Cup 2026 will continue this Friday at the annexed sports area of ESIME Azcapotzalco, where the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals will take place.

The Interdisciplinary Professional Unit in Engineering and Advanced Technologies (UPIITA) will host the grand final of the FutBotMx Cup.