Mexico City is projected to generate 50,000–100,000 temporary jobs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, primarily in restaurants, hotels, and transportation. The high turnover in operational roles and labor mobility challenges are being addressed through AI-driven platforms like ChambasAI and targeted training initiatives by industry groups such as Canirac. These measures aim to ensure workforce readiness, improve service capacity, and sustain employment in the hospitality and tourism sectors amid broader structural labor market shifts, including informality, wage growth, and increased demand for verified skills.
Mexico City is expected to generate between 50,000 and 100,000 temporary jobs in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the majority concentrated in restaurants, hotels, and transportation, according to the city’s Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion (STyFE). Authorities aim to ensure that some of these roles persist beyond the tournament through training programs and social dialogue with employers.
Inés González Nicolás, Head, STyFE, stated for La Jornada that the projections are based on employment trends observed in previous World Cups and reflect the city’s service-driven economy. “We have to ensure that these jobs are sustained after the World Cup. That requires social dialogue with companies and effective training programs for workers,” she stated during a public consultation forum on Mexico City’s General Development Plan 2025–2045.
Temporary positions are expected to largely support tourism, hospitality, and digital mobility services, which employ roughly 250,000 people in the city. González Nicolás emphasized that authorities are promoting professional development to help workers maintain employment after the event, while also preserving traditional trades such as shoemaking, tailoring, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work. These initiatives aim to provide both immediate employment and long-term workforce resilience.
AI Platforms and Training Programs Address High Turnover in Hospitality
The restaurant industry, which anticipates 12,000 to 14,000 new hires for the tournament, faces challenges in meeting demand due to high turnover. Hugo Vela, President, Mexican Restaurant Association (AMR), noted for Expansión, that annual turnover exceeds 80%, forcing establishments to rebuild staffing each year. “The World Cup will act like a vacuum, drawing workers from existing operations,” Vela said, adding that younger workers are less willing to work long hours or weekends, intensifying recruitment pressures.
To address these gaps, the industry is investing in training and recruitment programs. The National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac) partnered with educational platforms Platzi and Ceneval to provide English-language and service certification programs that can be completed in about two months. In parallel, Canirac signed an agreement with ChambasAI, an AI-driven recruitment platform, to streamline hiring for operational roles through WhatsApp, reducing delays in filling vacancies.
Max Werner, Founder, ChambasAI, for MBN, said the platform matches candidates to jobs quickly while verifying employment histories. “Turnover in operational roles is exceptionally high. Our platform allows companies to hire verified workers rapidly, while candidates can generate professional CVs and complete pre-interviews in under a minute,” he explained. The platform serves restaurants, hospitality, logistics, security, cleaning, e-commerce, and healthcare sectors, and works with Mexico City authorities to promote formal employment opportunities in underserved communities. Werner added that over 1.1 million candidates are registered on the platform, which uses AI to match skills, availability, and proximity to open positions.
The economic impact of temporary jobs is significant but concentrated. Deloitte estimates that increased restaurant activity could generate an additional US$562 million in gastronomic revenue, representing roughly 1.8% of annual sales and concentrated in host cities. While international tourism may reach 2.5 to 3 million visitors, domestic and local travelers are expected to account for more than 90% of demand, making the operational readiness of restaurants and hotels a critical factor for service quality and economic outcomes.
Labor Market Challenges and Workforce Mobility Shape Event Hiring
The broader labor market adds context to these temporary hiring trends. Mexico lost 8,104 formal jobs in January 2026, largely due to platform employment adjustments, marking the weakest January performance since 2014. Employment in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and construction declined, while informality remains widespread. Analysts note that over half of the workforce is outside formal systems, creating challenges in retention, supply chains, and skills development. Wage growth persists, however, with average real salaries for registered workers rising 3.1% in 2025.
Labor mobility is also intensifying. A survey by Pandapé and Computrabajo shows nine out of 10 Mexican employees are actively considering new opportunities, driven by unmet growth expectations, work-life balance concerns, and financial pressures. Rising living costs, second jobs, and polyworking strategies are reshaping employment decisions, while AI-driven hiring and skills verification tools, such as ChambasAI, are increasingly central to connecting workers with opportunities efficiently. Experts emphasize that employees now prioritize career development, flexibility, and demonstrable skills over salary alone, influencing retention and recruitment strategies.