Mexico’s long-running traditional ballgame, ulama, is drawing renewed attention as the country prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Multiple outlets describe ulama as a sport with roots more than 3,400 years old, played by striking a ball with the body and moving it through a court marked for play. The reporting emphasizes that the game persists despite pressures from modern sports and changing lifestyles, sustained in part by regional communities and cultural traditions that keep the rules and skills alive. As Mexico highlights its heritage ahead of a major international tournament, ulama is being presented as an example of enduring indigenous culture and living history. Coverage also notes that Mexico is not only celebrating traditional practices but also positioning them within a wider national profile as it hosts global attention in 2026. Across sources, the central theme is the survival of ulama over millennia and its growing visibility in contemporary Mexico.