Internet exchange (IX) operator DE-CIX says it has upgraded the connectivity between sites in Mexico and Dallas ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

The premier soccer tournament is taking place across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, with organizers FIFA anticipating 6.5 million fans to attend.

Dallas Stadium will host nine matches, including four knockout matches and the grudge match group game between England and Croatia. Mexico City, the home of the recently established DE-CIX Mexico, is where the host nation will kick off the tournament against South Africa – a repeat of the opener from the 2010 World Cup.

To meet the connectivity needs of the millions of fans expected, DE-CIX said it upgraded the pathway following “very strong demand” between the two locations, with Mexico-based networks seeking simplified access to international data pathways. DE-CIX Mexico connects some 30 networks, with the operator claiming it has already experienced more than 400% traffic growth since the beginning of 2026, achieving peak levels of almost 300 gigabits per second (Gb/s).

In addition to improving streaming capabilities, DE-CIX said the upgrade will enable Mexican network users to remote peer and access cloud connectivity in Dallas and as far as other DE-CIX sites in New York and Frankfurt.

Omar Vega, country sales director at DE-CIX Mexico, said the upgrade “levels the playing field for Mexican Internet service providers” to provide seamless sports streaming experiences.

“What’s true for the World Cup is also true for business: Seamless low-latency and resilient connectivity puts Mexico on the world stage and brings the world to Mexico,” Vega added.

The World Cup starts on June 11 in Mexico and will be the first to feature 48 teams as part of a newly expanded format.

While fans prepare for the tournament, there is growing consternation regarding FIFA’s implementation of dynamic pricing. The footballing body’s official reselling platform further complicates the situation by allowing ticket holders to set their own premiums, resulting in seats being traded for thousands of dollars above face value, with FIFA taking a 15% commission on every transaction through the portal.

Soaring transport costs to many of the U.S. stadiums and equally high hotel prices have left many fans priced out, making the need for seamless match streaming all the more important.