World Cup chaos on wheels: The harsh reality for delivery couriers in Mexico City

For thousands of food delivery couriers in Mexico City, the World Cup transforms the streets into a high-stakes arena. Their daily routine involves dodging gridlocked traffic, navigating road closures due to festivities, and racing against the clock of mobile apps while the rest of the country is glued to television screens. This intense environment is the reality for those ensuring sustenance during peak footballing euphoria.

Patrick Jobson, operations director for DiDi Food in Latin America, told EFE that the 2026 tournament has seen historic demand peaks in Mexico. The platform experienced a massive surge of over 12% in order volume compared to the previous year. To manage this influx in cities like Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, more than 15,000 new couriers joined the platform, with deliveries averaging just over 30 minutes.

Jobson emphasized that DiDi Food's strategy aims to maximize courier benefits during matches, focusing not only on pay rates but also on technological improvements. The app has introduced special dynamics, reward programs, and logistical tools to optimize courier time and minimize wait times at restaurants. However, despite these efforts and the increased number of couriers, the reality for riders in Mexico City remains fraught with precariousness, insecurity, and uncertainty about their safety.

Uriel, who has been a courier for five months, shared a grim superstition: "Don't leave your motorcycle helmet on the ground, it's bad luck, it means a courier will die." He stressed that the most important thing for a courier is to leave home "without fights" because they never know if they will return. Paola, a courier with eight years of experience and founder of the collective "Ni Un Repartidor Menos/Ni Una Repartidora Menos" (Not One Less Courier), highlighted the sector's high-risk status. She critically noted that out of over 600 colleagues who have died on the streets, only two have received justice. Even as FIFA postponed a match due to an electrical storm, couriers found no respite, facing impatient customers and restaurants overflowing with delivery orders rather than diners. Paola lamented that the surge in demand does not always translate into better earnings, stating, "The bad thing is that the more they order, the less they tip."