Robot dogs will patrol the 2026 World Cup in Mexico

Authorities in Mexico Guadalupe, Nuevo León, unveiled four this week robot dogs which will be part of the security devices at BBVA Stadium, one of the three Mexican venues of the 2026 World Cup.

The “K9-X” unit functions only as a type of first responder. The robot dogs are not armed, but each unit contains video cameras, night vision and communication systems used to issue warnings or instructions. Its function is to deter illegal activity, detect unusual behavior, identify suspicious objects, control crowds and immediately alert law enforcement when the system deems it necessary.

Robot dogs work semi-autonomously: They do not make decisions or perform movements on their own. Instead, they require an operator to control them as if they were handling a drone or a video game. The operator can even use the robot’s command system to issue instructions during a crisis.

“These K9-X robot dogs are going to support the police with an initial intervention, provide video and finally enter high-risk places – that is, before public safety forces enter – and to protect officers’ physical safety, the robots will intervene in the event of a fight or an intoxicated person,” Guadalupe Mayor Héctor García said at a press conference. “We have good police officers, and we work hand in hand with the latest technology for the safety of the people of Guadalupe.”

The K9-X unit has already made its first official intervention. During the last match of Club de Futbol Monterrey in the Concachampions, the robots patrolled the perimeter of the BBVA stadium. According to the official press release, the “robodogs” carried out preventive patrols at the entrances and in main events.

The robotic dogs are just one part of Guadalupe’s security strategy for the 2026 World Cup. The city also plans to use advanced surveillance drones and anti-drone technology to protect major events. The authorities did not disclose the model, manufacturer or many technical details of the K9-X units.

When the World Cup kicks off in June, the BBVA Stadium will host four matches: three in the group stage and one in the round of 16.

This story originally appeared in WIRED in Spanish and was translated from Spanish.