Mexico’s amended Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property has turned ambush marketing into a more immediate compliance issue for brands planning campaigns around the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The reform published on 3 April adds a specific administrative infringement to Article 386 of the LFPPI, covering acts that lead the public to reasonably assume an official sponsorship relationship between a distinctive sign and a mass public or private event.
For non-sponsors, the risk now extends beyond unauthorised use of official logos. Social media copy, promotional hashtags, colour schemes, ticket campaigns, influencer posts and retail displays may all require closer review if they suggest partnership, endorsement or official status. The practical message is simple: football-themed advertising is not automatically off-limits, but any campaign that borrows the event’s commercial aura should be cleared before launch, with evidence showing that the brand is not presenting itself as an official sponsor.
