Monterrey welcomes World Cup with grilled food, soccer passion

This photo taken Nov. 8, 2010, shows a view of the northern industrial city of Monterrey, Mexico. (AP Photo/Carlos Jasso, File)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — World Cup fans visiting Monterrey can expect a cutting-edge soccer stadium, searing heat and some of northern Mexico’s best grilled food.

The northern city is ready to showcase its industrial grit and mountain majesty for the 2026 World Cup , but fans should prepare for a climate that is as intense as the local football passion. While the city is a modern powerhouse, the June and July temperatures often soar past 100 F (38 C), making hydration and sun protection essential for visitors.

The people of Monterrey are very friendly and almost always very kind to visitors from other countries. They demonstrated this during the intercontinental playoff, especially with Iraq , that qualified for the World Cup in that city.

The Macroplaza is one of the largest public squares in the world, serving as the central hub for the city’s most significant monuments. It is surrounded by major institutions like the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Government Palace.

FILE -View of the Metropolitan Cathedral during a memorial Mass for Pope Francis celebrated by Cardinal Leonardo Steiner in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros, File)

FILE -View of the Metropolitan Cathedral during a memorial Mass for Pope Francis celebrated by Cardinal Leonardo Steiner in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros, File)