Zapopan on the World Stage: At the Heart of Football

With a distinguished career spanning business, sport, and most recently public administration — first as Chief of Staff to Pablo Lemus and subsequently as Municipal President of Zapopan — Juan José Frangie has been appointed General Director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Jalisco.

Estadio Akron, accompanied by Pablo Lemus and Juan José Frangie

“Honestly, for me this is a source of immense joy and a profound honor. Those who know me understand that football has always been a genuine passion — and that I spent many years working within the sport. But beyond personal enthusiasm, I am fully aware of what organizing an event of this magnitude demands. The World Cup is not only the most important sporting event on the planet; it is a global showcase. FIFA’s standards are extraordinarily high, and I assume this responsibility with total commitment and seriousness.”

The World Cup represents a historic opportunity for Jalisco and for Zapopan.

The FIFA World Cup has the potential to be a watershed moment in the economic development of Jalisco and its cities.

The state anticipates the arrival of approximately three million visitors — a figure that translates into more than 7,000 new jobs and an economic impact approaching 20 billion pesos.

Jalisco has every asset required to excel: talent, infrastructure, logistical capacity, proven experience hosting major events, and above all, a citizenry that knows how to welcome the world and loves football. This World Cup will be far more than a sporting celebration — it will be an opportunity to accelerate the economic, cultural, and tourism development of the region’s beaches, mountains, and Pueblos Mágicos.
It will be an opportunity for Zapopan and Jalisco to prove, on the largest stage in sport, that they are truly world-class.