Mexico revives ancient ballgame ulama ahead of World Cup spotlight

As Mexico prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a small but dedicated group of players in the Yucatán Peninsula is working to revive ulama, the ancient Mesoamerican ballgame practised for more than 3,000 years. Players use their hips to keep a rubber ball in motion in a game that combines physical endurance with spiritual ritual. Archaeologists have identified more than 1,500 ballcourts across Mesoamerica, reflecting the game's central role in ancient civilisation. Banned by Spanish colonisers as pagan, ulama nearly disappeared — but its practitioners are now calling on the government to support its revival.

Al Jazeera's Julia Galiano reports from Ek Balam, Mexico.

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