Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, 80% of restaurants in Mexico are operating with incomplete staff, resulting in a shortage of 500,000 jobs, negatively impacting sales and service quality.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches in less than four months, the restaurant industry in Mexico is grappling with significant workforce shortages, with 80% of establishments reporting incomplete staffing and a total deficit of 500,000 workers. This shortfall is not just a minor inconvenience; it is affecting sales, productivity, service quality, and ultimately, the overall dining experience of customers in a crucial time when many will visit the country for this international event.
Hugo Vela, the president of the Mexican Restaurant Association (AMR), highlights the impending challenges that the industry will face due to the World Cup, where additional temporary jobs will be required to support the influx of tourists and related activities. He warns that this demand for temporary labor could exacerbate the existing problem, resembling a ‘vacuum’ that could siphon away employees from the already struggling restaurant sector, thereby compounding the operational difficulties for many businesses.
In a recent collaboration agreement between the National Chamber of the Restaurant Industry (Canirac) and the labor placement platform Chambas AI, Vela expressed concern that the restaurant industry might end up losing more jobs instead of gaining them. This potential outcome carries significant implications for employment stability in the sector, raising questions about how restaurants can maintain service standards and profitability during such a high-demand period without sufficient staff.
