Mexico City's 'Xoli' Chatbot Will Help World Cup Tourists Navigate the City | WIREDSkip to main contentMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSMenuAccountAccountNewslettersApple MacBook NeoM5 MacBook Air ReviewBest REI Outdoor DealsBest Mountain E-BikesBest Paper PlannersDeals DeliveredSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoLivestreamsMerchSearchSearchFernanda GonzálezGearMar 22, 2026 5:00 AMMexico City Built a Chatbot to Help World Cup Tourists Navigate the CityThe launch of “Xoli” adds to the technological efforts promoted by the federal government to turn the 2026 World Cup into an engine of development for the entire country.Xoli, the new chatbot, is named after the axolotl, a salamander with external gills.Illustration: Courtesy of the Gobierno de la Ciudad de MéxicoCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThe Government of Mexico City has launched Xoli, a chatbot that will provide information on services, tourism, and cultural offerings. It's available now via WhatsApp in both English and Spanish.The platform was designed to meet the demand of the millions of visitors expected to arrive during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the authorities assure that the tool will remain active once the sporting event is over, with the aim of promoting economic activities and facilitating access to public services in the capital.In a press conference, Clara Brugada, head of the Mexico City government, stated that Xoli “will be the technological instrument that will allow us to link culture, tourism, recreation, and entertainment with the population.”Chat With XoliThe tool was developed entirely by the capital's government, as a result of the collaboration between the Digital Agency for Public Innovation and the local Ministries of Tourism and Culture.The chatbot is already available on mobile devices and will operate continuously, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. To use it, just open WhatsApp, start a chat with the number 55 6565 9395, and send the word “Hola.”Xoli (pronounced sho-lee) will immediately ask if you want to continue in English or Spanish. After selecting the preferred language, users will be able to access a menu with various categories of information, including culture, tourism, gastronomy, and mobility, or just ask a question about anything in the city.In the context of the 2026 World Cup, there will be a specific section with information about the competition, including special events, match details, broadcasts of games in public places, and ticket purchase options.Screenshot of Xoli, Mexico City's tourist chatbot for the 2026 World Cup.
Cortesía XoliThe capital's government highlighted that this technology contributes to the city's consolidation as “a more innovative and accessible city,” by speeding up access to official information, offering timely responses and strengthening tourism promotion strategies.Alejandra Frausto, head of Mexico City's Ministry of Tourism, pointed out that close to 3,000 tourist, recreational, and cultural activities are carried out daily in the capital. In seasons of high demand, this figure can increase to 5,000 events a day. “Translating this data into reliable and accessible information involves a great effort, but it is now possible thanks to this chatbot,” he says.A Good SportThe launch of Xoli adds to the technological efforts driven by the federal government to turn the upcoming World Cup into an engine of development for commerce, sports, tourism, and culture throughout the country.Late last year, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum presented the Mexico 2026 Social World Cup plan, which calls for more than 177 festivities and 5,000 activities linked to the tournament, as well as 74 tournaments and soccer cups aimed at students, workers, and the general public. The program also includes around 1,500 actions within the Vive Saludable (Live Healthy) initiative, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, as well as the rehabilitation of 4,200 public sports fields and spaces.Among the actions announced is the creation of the Conoce México app developed jointly by the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (ATDT) and the Ministry of Tourism. This app will allow fans, both national and foreign, to get updated information on matches, venues, routes, services, and cultural activities.Also, the Federal Consumer Protection Agency reached an agreement with FIFA to enable a ticket sales platform that will operate in Spanish and will display prices in Mexican pesos, in accordance with national legislation. The platform will include an official resale system that will allow those who cannot attend a match to sell their tickets safely and at regulated prices.The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be unprecedented in scope. For the first time in more than 90 years, the tournament will be hosted by three countries, will bring together 48 national teams and will include 104 matches, an increase of approximately 10 match days and 40 additional matches compared to previous editions.In this context, the event represents a significant opportunity to boost tourism and trade in Mexico. However, several studies warn that the championship could have a considerable environmental impact, in addition to increasing the pressure on essential services such as water and electricity, aspects that, until now, have not been fully incorporated into Mexican government strategies.CommentsBack to topTriangleYou Might Also LikeIn your inbox: Upgrade your life with WIRED-tested gearNvidia plans to launch an open-source AI agent platformBig Story: He built the Epstein database—it consumed his lifeShould you leave your phone charging overnight?Watch: How right wing influencers infiltrated the governmentFernanda González is a contributor to WIRED en Español. ... 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The Government of Mexico City has launched Xoli, a chatbot designed to assist World Cup tourists navigating the city, marking a significant technological initiative spearheaded by the federal government aimed at leveraging the 2026 World Cup as a catalyst for economic development. Named after the axolotl, a unique salamander known for its external gills, Xoli is presently available via WhatsApp in both English and Spanish, reflecting a strategic effort to cater to a diverse international audience. The chatbot’s genesis stems from the anticipated influx of millions of visitors during the tournament and the government’s ambition to utilize this opportunity for sustained economic stimulation and improved access to public services within the capital.

According to Clara Brugada, head of the Mexico City government, Xoli’s core function is to “link culture, tourism, recreation, and entertainment with the population,” signaling a comprehensive approach to tourism engagement. The development of Xoli was a collaborative endeavor involving the Digital Agency for Public Innovation and the local Ministries of Tourism and Culture, entirely produced internally, a testament to the city’s investment in digital solutions. The chatbot operates continuously, 24/7, 7 days a week, accessible through a simple initiation – sending the word “Hola” to the number 55 6565 9395 within WhatsApp. Upon initiating the chat, users are prompted to select their preferred language, English or Spanish, unlocking a menu categorized by information such as culture, tourism, gastronomy, and mobility, or allowing for direct inquiries regarding any aspect of the city. A dedicated section has been created specifically for the 2026 World Cup, providing details on competitions, special events, game broadcasts, ticket purchase information, and routes.

The Mexico City government highlights the chatbot’s contribution to the city’s transformation into a "more innovative and accessible city," aiming to expedite information access, provide timely responses, and bolster tourism promotion strategies. Alejandra Frausto, head of Mexico City’s Ministry of Tourism, emphasized the capital’s daily operation of nearly 3,000 tourist, recreational, and cultural activities, with the volume potentially increasing to 5,000 events on peak days. Xoli is intended to translate this data into readily accessible information, overcoming the logistical challenges presented by high demand for tourism services. The system's accessibility is noted as a significant advancement, simplifying access to information previously scattered across multiple channels.

This launch represents a component of the broader federal government’s strategy to transform the upcoming World Cup into an engine for development across Mexico, as outlined in Claudia Sheinbaum’s “Mexico 2026 Social World Cup” plan. This plan encompasses over 177 festive events, 5,000 activities linked to the tournament, 74 student and worker soccer cups, approximately 1,500 actions within the “Vive Saludable” (Live Healthy) initiative, and the rehabilitation of 4,200 public sports fields. Furthermore, the government has implemented supporting technological initiatives like the “Conoce México” app, jointly developed by the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (ATDT) and the Ministry of Tourism, to provide real-time information for visitors. The Federal Consumer Protection Agency has also established an agreement with FIFA to facilitate a ticket sales platform, designed to operate within Mexican regulations and prioritize national currency. These coordinated efforts underscore a multi-faceted approach to maximizing the economic and social impact of the World Cup. REFUSED