Mexico City Anticipates Up to 100,000 Temporary Jobs for 2026 World Cup
Mexico City, February 12, 2026 – Mexico City expects to generate between 50,000 and 100,000 new temporary jobs in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to begin in June. The majority of these employment opportunities will be concentrated in the service sector, as announced by Inés González Nicolás, head of the Secretariat of Labor and Employment Promotion (STyFE).
González Nicolás made these statements following her participation in the public consultation forum “Innovation, training and social dialogue,” a part of the consultation process for the General Development Plan 2025-2045. She emphasized that local authorities are committed to ensuring these newly created positions do not disappear once the World Cup concludes.
Sectoral Impact and Job Retention Efforts
The STyFE head estimates that most of the new jobs will be found in restaurants, hotels, and transportation, particularly within the tourism sector. She also highlighted that approximately 250,000 individuals currently work on various digital platforms for ride-sharing and food delivery, a number expected to grow in the coming weeks leading up to the global event.
“We must ensure that these jobs are not lost after the World Cup, and for that, social dialogue with companies is crucial,” González Nicolás stated. She elaborated that the projection of 50,000 to 100,000 new positions is based on calculations derived from job generation trends observed in other cities that have hosted previous World Cup tournaments.
The official stressed that the service sector, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and digital platforms are the predominant economic areas in the capital. Consequently, she underscored the importance of employers and companies developing training and professionalization mechanisms for workers to help them retain their employment beyond the World Cup.
Government Initiatives for Workforce Development
González Nicolás also pointed out the necessity for governments to implement their own training policies and to revive traditional trades that have declined over time, such as shoemaking, tailoring, and carpentry. She lamented that there is a growing tendency to discard items rather than repair them.
In this regard, she outlined a dual approach: one that responds to the evolving labor market, and another involving a governmental proposal to train individuals in essential community services like electricians, plumbers, masons, and seamstresses. This initiative aims to equip people with valuable skills and ensure their continued employment.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to bring a significant economic boost to Mexico City, and authorities are proactively working to maximize the long-term benefits for the local workforce.
Source: https://www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2026/02/12/capital/styfe-proyecta-hasta-100-mil-empleos-temporales-en-cdmx-por-el-mundial-2026
