Mexico City, January 8 – Mexico City is strategically positioning itself as a leading economic and investment destination, emphasizing safety and robust development in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Clara Brugada, Head of Government, highlighted the city’s strong economic performance and commitment to security during her address at the XXXVII Meeting of Heads of Embassies and Consulates, organized by the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE).
Mexico City: A Powerhouse in Latin American Economy
Brugada proudly stated that if Mexico City were an independent country, it would rank as the seventh-largest economy in Latin America. This assertion underscores the city’s significant economic output and its growing influence on the regional stage. She urged diplomats to actively promote Mexico City as a reliable host for both the upcoming global sporting event and international business ventures.
Record-Breaking Foreign Direct Investment
Official data reveals a remarkable economic surge in 2025, with Mexico City attracting 19 billion pesos in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), marking a substantial 36% annual increase. This influx of capital demonstrates strong investor confidence in the city’s economic stability and growth potential. [gob.mx](https://www.gob.mx/se/prensa/mexico-logra-el-mayor-nivel-de-atraccion-de-ied-en-un-segundo-trimestre-con-cifras-originalmente-publicadas?idiom=es-MX) and [cronica.com.mx](https://www.cronica.com.mx/metropoli/2025/10/10/cdmx-alcanza-cifra-record-en-inversion-extranjera-19-mil-mdd-en-2025/) further corroborate these figures, with the latter reporting over 19 billion USD and a 36% increase in FDI for 2025, constituting over 55% of the national total.
Fiscal Health and Public Investment
The Head of Government also highlighted the city’s sound fiscal management, noting a 26% increase in its own revenue and an impressive 55% growth in public investment over the past two years. This financial stability is crucial for funding the extensive urban development projects underway. [eleconomista.com.mx](https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/estados/brugada-reporta-crecimiento-3-pib-atraccion-record-inversion-cdmx-20251012-781182.html) reports a 26% increase in local income collection during Q2 2025 and an 18% increase in public investment without increasing debt.
Urban Development and World Cup Preparations
Brugada explicitly linked the World Cup to a comprehensive urban development strategy, stating, “We welcome 2026 with over 2,000 projects that we have been working on since 2025 to transform the city.” These initiatives include the launch of three new Metrobús lines, the modernization of the Light Rail, and the complete repaving of 250 kilometers of primary roads. [diariodemexico.com](https://www.diariodemexico.com/mi-ciudad/enfocaran-presupuesto-de-cdmx-en-infraestructura-por-el-mundial-2026) details a 31.2% increase in public investment for 2026, totaling over 57.9 billion pesos, with 7.5 billion pesos specifically allocated for World Cup-related projects, including new light rail trains.
Additionally, a program is underway to revitalize the Historic Center and tourist corridors through a 50-kilometer lighting project for streets and heritage buildings.
Enhanced Security and Tourist Confidence
To instill confidence among the business community and visitors, Brugada reported a significant 58% drop in crime rates between 2019 and 2025, with a 13% reduction in the last year alone. Homicides saw a 46% decrease over the same seven-year period. She emphasized, “For those who tell you that Mexico City is very dangerous, pull out these data… the capital is the most video-monitored city in America,” with 135,000 operational cameras. Brugada called upon the attendees to act as ambassadors and consuls, promoting Mexico City as a secure host for the World Cup.
Tourism Growth and “Social World Cup” Initiative
The tourism sector experienced a 5% growth in 2025, along with an 86% increase in foreign residents choosing Mexico City as their home. The World Cup is seen as a catalyst to boost the economy and solidify the city’s international image as a safe, dynamic, and forward-thinking metropolis.
The government’s organizational model, dubbed the “Social World Cup,” aims to ensure a broadly distributed economic impact. This includes constructing or renovating 500 football pitches in popular neighborhoods and establishing 50 public festival points with giant screens, with the Zócalo serving as the central hub. “We want a World Cup that puts the population at the center, who may not have the resources to enter the stadiums, but who live the World Cup,” Brugada concluded.
Source: [es-us.noticias.yahoo.com](https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/cdmx-polo-econ%C3%B3mico-inversi%C3%B3n-rumbo-043432031.html), [gob.mx](https://www.gob.mx/se/prensa/mexico-logra-el-mayor-nivel-de-atraccion-de-ied-en-un-segundo-trimestre-con-cifras-originalmente-publicadas?idiom=es-MX), [cronica.com.mx](https://www.cronica.com.mx/metropoli/2025/10/10/cdmx-alcanza-cifra-record-en-inversion-extranjera-19-mil-mdd-en-2025/), [eluniversal.com.mx](https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/metropoli/crece-36-la-inversion-extranjera-en-la-cdmx/), [eleconomista.com.mx](https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/estados/brugada-reporta-crecimiento-3-pib-atraccion-record-inversion-cdmx-20251012-781182.html), [diariodemexico.com](https://www.diariodemexico.com/mi-ciudad/enfocaran-presupuesto-de-cdmx-en-infraestructura-por-el-mundial-2026)
