Mexico City business group warns protests risk World Cup economic gains

Business leaders in Mexico City are sounding the alarm over recent protests and blockades, warning they could jeopardize the significant economic opportunities presented by the 2026 World Cup. The Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic (Coparmex) in Mexico City stated that the global football tournament was expected to bring in approximately 27 billion pesos and create around 100,000 temporary jobs.

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the blockades and protests of recent weeks could put at risk one of the greatest economic opportunities the city has had in recent years.

These economic benefits are particularly crucial for sectors like hotels, restaurants, retail, transportation, entertainment, and tourism. Coparmex emphasized that realizing these gains hinges on upholding the rule of law and guaranteeing the free movement of people. They also stressed the need to protect the conditions necessary for businesses to operate, invest, and generate employment.

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the World Cup 2026 would leave an economic impact of close to 27 billion pesos and around 100,000 temporary jobs, especially in the hotel, restaurant, commerce, transport, entertainment, and tourism sectors.

Coparmex CDMX called on all levels of government to heed these indicators as a national warning sign, suggesting that current plans and programs require reassessment. The organization also advocated for policies that prevent business closures, establish an institute for entrepreneurship, simplify administrative procedures, and revise incentives and contributions to foster job growth.

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the rule of law must prevail and the free mobility of people must be guaranteed, as well as protecting the necessary conditions for those who work, undertake, invest and generate employment.

Regarding the federal government's suggestion of promoting remote work on the World Cup's opening day, Coparmex CDMX deemed the measure understandable but "limited and partially detached from the economic reality of the capital." They pointed out that 80 percent of the city's wealth stems from activities like tourism and hospitality, where many workers cannot perform their duties remotely due to the physical nature of their jobs.

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we call on the authorities of all levels of government to consider these indicators as a national warning sign, it is no longer enough to recognize that plans and programs must change.