World Cup to boost sports textile demand in Latin America, says Mexican industry group

The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, is poised to become a significant catalyst for the sports textile industry across Latin America. The sector aims to capitalize on the anticipated surge in football-related consumption and solidify trends toward innovation and sustainability.

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Almost double seasonally the demand for textiles in the world and the region.

This expectation arrives at a critical juncture for the textile industry, according to Mexico's National Chamber of the Textile Industry (Canaintex). In Mexico alone, the sector generates over 400,000 direct and 1.2 million indirect jobs, contributing approximately 3% to the manufacturing GDP and about 1% to the national GDP. Mexico also remains a key textile and apparel exporter to North America, benefiting from the USMCA trade agreement, with exports exceeding $9 billion in 2024.

However, the industry grapples with challenges, including competition from low-cost imported goods, particularly from Asia, and a slowdown in certain manufacturing segments. The World Cup presents a vital opportunity for manufacturers, suppliers, and sports-related brands to counter these pressures.

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Today the buyer demands that the fabric be light, how many washes it withstands, how much it will protect from the sun's rays, and all that is measured.

Héctor Pérez, a director at textile firm Lafayette, noted that a World Cup can seasonally "almost double" global and regional demand for textiles used in uniforms, sportswear, and fan merchandise. Beyond aesthetics, consumer purchasing criteria are evolving. Buyers now demand specific technical characteristics related to athletic performance, such as fabric weight, durability, and sun protection, all of which are meticulously measured.

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The big chapter of sustainability has had an incredible shift in innovation in the last five years.

Sustainability has also emerged as a powerful driver of innovation. Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating recycled materials, especially PET bottle-derived fibers, and adopting processes that reduce water and chemical consumption. Pérez highlighted that sustainability has spurred "incredible innovation" in the sector over the past five years. He believes the market's size and demanding standards make the region particularly attractive for sports textiles, anticipating that the tournament will not only boost short-term sales but also strengthen supply chains, foster investment in innovation, and build lasting commercial relationships.

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The size and level of demand in the market definitely make us very attractive, especially for the sports textiles portfolio.