Projects for the 2026 World Cup will generate 128,000 direct jobs in Mexico.

Jared Laureles and Jessica Xantomila

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, p. a11

In the three host cities of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico—Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey—64 projects have been identified to improve infrastructure and mobility to host the sporting event. The projects are estimated to generate more than 128,000 direct jobs, according to a study by the Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI).

This union, led by Ambet Yuson, and the International Confederation of Workers (CWI), chaired by federal representative Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, insisted on the urgent need to guarantee Mexican workers decent, safe, and fair working conditions in the megaprojects associated with the tournament.

The mining leader recalled the national campaign that the CIT is promoting for decent work in different economic sectors one year before the FIFA World Cup (International Federation of Association Football), through which it seeks to ensure that every project, stadium, road, and space built leading up to the Cup has legitimate collective bargaining agreements, social security, protective measures, and respect for the working day.

In a video message broadcast yesterday during the International Trade Union Conference on Labour and Sport, he welcomed this roundtable discussion, which was attended by more than 70 representatives of organizations from different countries, as it represents a powerful message of international solidarity .

Violeta Mendieta, a consultant at the ICM, explained that of the total projects, 21 are under construction, 38 are pending due to a bidding process or lack of budget, and only five have been completed.

Based on information from more than 60 federal and local institutions, he noted that while in Mexico City, projects focus on urban improvements around the Azteca Stadium (now Banorte) and mobility, in Guadalajara, they have focused on road connections to the Akron Stadium and the airport. Meanwhile, in Monterrey, they have focused on recreational spaces near the BBVA Stadium and waterworks.

Regarding working conditions, he pointed out that only 1.5 percent of construction workers are unionized, so many of their rights are not observed or fulfilled .

The difficulty in accessing stadium construction sites and maintaining dialogue with construction companies are some of the main challenges facing Mexico in verifying workers' conditions, said Raimundo Ribeiro, president for Latin America and the Caribbean of the BWI.

One such incident occurred last March, when the union was denied independent inspections at the Azteca. However, Yuson stated that today they will finally be able to access the venue to dialogue with the workers, as no World Cup should be held without labor rights .

▲ Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) won yesterday's fourth stage of the Tour de France in Rouen, earning his 100th victory as a professional, while Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel held on to the yellow jersey in extremis . At the end of the 174.2-kilometer stage, the Slovenian, a three-time winner of the race and a strong favorite for this year's edition, beat his great Danish rival Jonas Vingegaard, who finished third. Photo AP

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, p. a11