Temporary Jobs in Hospitality, Food, and Beverage Sectors
The 2026 World Cup, set to kick off on June 11 with Mexico, the United States, and Canada as hosts, will boost job demand in sectors related to the sporting event. However, these jobs are expected to be primarily temporary, according to experts.
“Unfortunately, it is anticipated that the World Cup will generate mostly informal jobs in the services sector and on a temporary basis,” says Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Banco Base.
She adds that there will be an “optimistic” outlook for the economy leading up to the tournament, which will last 39 days and feature 104 matches among 48 qualified teams. This makes it the most extensive and team-rich World Cup in FIFA history.
Which Sectors Will Offer the Most Jobs During World Cup 2026?
Tourists, fans, organizers, and even the participating teams themselves will drive demand for workers in hospitality and customer service-related services.
“Not everyone will be able to attend the stadiums, but you can use this opportunity to organize events. There will be high demand for tourism and hospitality services,” predicts Alejandra Toscano, general director of DNE Consulting.
Tourism contributed 8.7% to Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, according to the latest data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi). Activities related to tourism generated 2.9 million jobs, accounting for 7.4% of total employment in the country.
“Tourism is one of Mexico’s main economic drivers and positions it above the tourism GDP of several countries internationally,” states a press release from Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism.
In this context, the World Cup will foster skills, even if employment is temporary. These skills will be beneficial for both individuals and employers in the future.
“It will encourage the acceleration of certain skills that the country can continue to benefit from. The jobs with the highest demand are all related to hospitality topics,” asserts Gerardo García Rojas, human capital consultant.
Language Skills to Expand Job Opportunities in World Cup 2026
Experts agree that language skills, particularly English, will be the most sought-after and useful during the 2026 World Cup.
“All aspects related to language interpretation, translation services, assistance services, or customer service in another language will be crucial. All translators and those who speak other languages have great potential in these events,” adds Toscano.
“Security-related jobs will be another sector seeking more personnel during the massive event. Mexico must ensure the security of all visitors, including protection civil jobs,” details García Rojas.
Food and Beverage Sector to See Growth During World Cup
Feeding both domestic and international tourists will increase demand in the restaurant and food service sectors, including food and beverage manufacturing, distribution, and marketing.
The Ministry of Tourism and Canirac announced that in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, they will promote the “Mexico of My Flavors” project to showcase Mexican gastronomy by representing various states through traditional cooks, ingredients, and beverages.
A “Certified Restaurant Distinctive” standard will be established to ensure “excellence standards” during the World Cup, providing confidence to visitors. Canirac estimates that the food and beverage sector will close the year with approximately a 5% growth.
Logistics will also be an employer during the sports event, handling materials and objects for matches as well as passenger transportation. Buses, airports, taxis, and ride-hailing services will be in high demand to transport fans to stadiums, attractions, and related events.
“Marketing will require talent to help businesses capitalize on the sports opportunity for product and brand positioning. All topics of marketing, activations, brand experience, and brand positioning through football,” lists Toscano.
Key Questions and Answers
- What sectors will see the most job growth during the 2026 World Cup? The hospitality, food and beverage, security, transportation, and marketing sectors will experience significant growth.
- Why are most jobs temporary? The jobs created for the World Cup will primarily be temporary, catering to the short-term nature of the event.
- Which skills will be in high demand? Language skills, particularly English, and hospitality-related abilities will be crucial for the event.
- How will tourism contribute to job growth? Tourism contributes significantly to Mexico’s GDP and will see increased demand for services related to accommodations, food, and transportation.
- What is the “Mexico of My Flavors” project? It’s a promotional initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and Canirac to highlight Mexican gastronomy by representing various states through traditional cooks, ingredients, and beverages.
