McDonald’s sponsorship of Mexican National Soccer Team through 2009.

McDonald’s announced it will continue its sponsorship of the Mexican National Soccer Team (MNT) for the next three years (2007-2009). In addition to sponsoring five friendly matches in the U.S. and hosting free youth soccer clinics the day before each match, McDonald’s will offer 22 children in each market the chance to be McDonald’s Player Escorts during the friendly matches.

The first two matches are scheduled February 28th, March 28th in San Diego and Oakland, CA respectively. The remaining games dates and locations will be announced in the near future.

“McDonald’s has been an active partner in the Hispanic community for many years, said Cristina Vilella, director of marketing McDonald’s USA. We are committed to offering experiences and opportunities – like the soccer clinics– that encourage Hispanic youth to pursue their dreams and aspirations, said Vilella.

“We are thrilled that McDonald’s is continuing their longtime support of the Mexican National Team,” said Kathy Carter, executive vice president of Soccer United Marketing. “This renewal is another example of how McDonald’s continues to be an integral part of the soccer family, not only in North America, but worldwide.”

More than 500 youth are expected to take part in the five clinics, which give children the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfill their dream of playing on a professional field and training side-by-side with MNT professional players. A select group of children in each city will also have the chance to accompany players onto the field as McDonald’s Player Escorts.

Since 2002, more than 3,000 children from throughout the world have been given the opportunity to be McDonald’s Player Escorts at prestigious international tournaments including the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan, UEFA EURO 2004 and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005. McDonald’s sent a total of 1,408 player escorts from around the world, including 18 from the United States, to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany.