Breaking cybersecurity news, news analysis, commentary, and other content from around the world, with an initial focus on the Middle East & Africa and the Asia Pacific Mexico's New Cyber Plan Faces Its First Real Test The Latin American nation's cybersecurity plan — still in the expansion phase — has to survive its own knockout round during the FIFA World Cup. Mexico adopted its Plan Nacional de Ciberseguridad 2025-2030 — its National Cybersecurity Plan — seven months ago, and while the strategy is still in its "expansion phase," the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament has become an early test for the government's ability to implement the document, experts say. Drafted by the Agencia de Transformación Digital y Telecomunicaciones (ATDT), or Mexico's Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency, the plan aims to guide efforts to update federal legislation and establish cybersecurity capabilities throughout the government. For the current year, the cybersecurity plan calls for the creation of a National Cybersecurity Strategy by the end of the third quarter, the creation of a National Cybersecurity Center to track threats, and greater cooperation between cybersecurity professionals in government, private industry, and academia, according to an analysis published June 25 by threat intelligence firm Recorded Future. The ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament, which includes three stadiums in Mexico among its venues, casts a spotlight on the country's cybersecurity efforts and is an early test of Mexico's capabilities, the report stated. "Cyber risk around the tournament is likely to be elevated, as the event creates a target-rich environment for ransomware groups, hacktivists, fraud actors, credential thieves, and disinformation networks seeking financial gain or disruption," Recorded Future stated in the report. "If a cyber incident occurs, it will likely shape public debate over cybersecurity in Mexico and attract greater international attention to any perceived gaps." Cybercriminals,