Photo: Fauzan Saari / Unsplash
Growing international pressure to boycott FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in the United States has raised questions about what such a movement could mean for Mexico, one of three co-hosts for the tournament. While boycott calls target US policy decisions, Mexico stands to gain significantly if fans redirect their travel plans south of the border.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter added his voice to the growing chorus of critics in late January when he endorsed a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States. Blatter, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2015, supported comments made by Swiss attorney Mark Pieth, an anti-corruption expert who previously chaired FIFA’s Independent Governance Committee. Pieth had advised fans to avoid traveling to the US for the tournament, warning that supporters who displease officials could face deportation upon arrival.
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with 16 host cities spread across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Mexico will host 13 matches in three cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. The US will host 78 of the 104 total matches, including both semifinals and the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Travel Restrictions Complicate the Picture
The Trump administration expanded US travel restrictions in December 2025 to include 39 countries and Palestinian Authority travel documents. Four nations that qualified for the World Cup now face severe restrictions: Iran, Haiti, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Fans from Iran and Haiti face full travel bans, while supporters from Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions linked to visa overstay concerns.
An additional 12 World Cup-qualified countries have been hit with indefinite bans on immigrant visa processing: Algeria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan. While athletes, coaches, and support staff remain exempt from most restrictions, ordinary fans from these nations will struggle to attend matches in US cities.
The restrictions have prompted Oke Gottlich, a vice president of the German Football Association, to suggest it was time to seriously consider a boycott. Gottlich compared the current situation to Olympic boycotts during the Cold War, arguing that the potential threat now exceeds what existed during the 1980s.
Mexico’s Historic Role as World Cup Host
The 2026 tournament marks a historic milestone for Mexico. Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will host the opening match on June 11, making it the only stadium in the world to host World Cup matches in three separate tournaments, following 1970 and 1986. The country will also host group stage matches at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (capacity 48,071) and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
Mexico has been placed in Group A alongside South Korea, South Africa, and the winner of UEFA playoff path D (which could be Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, or North Macedonia). El Tri will play all three-group stage matches at Estadio Azteca, giving home fans the opportunity to support the national team without crossing international borders.
The Mexican government has invested heavily in preparation. Estadio Azteca is undergoing a $175 million renovation to increase seating capacity from 87,500 to 90,000. Mexico City neighborhoods surrounding the stadium have received more than $350 million in infrastructure upgrades focused on security, mobility, and public services.
Economic Stakes for Mexico
Official projections estimate the tournament will attract more than 5.5 million visitors to Mexico and inject between $1.8 billion and $3 billion into the national economy. However, the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CONCANACO SERVYTUR) believe the economic impact could reach nearly 200 billion Mexican pesos (approximately $11.3 billion) if benefits extend beyond the three host cities.
Guadalajara alone expects to attract one million visitors, with local economic revenues estimated at up to $7 billion and approximately 40,000 temporary jobs. Foreign direct investment from the United States during the first half of 2025 reached $14.7 billion, representing a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Investment in cultural, sports, and recreational services nearly tripled the flow recorded the previous year.
International tourists typically spend nearly three times more per purchase than domestic consumers. Data shows foreign visitors spend around 1,015 Mexican pesos (approximately $55) per transaction, compared to 356 pesos ($19.33) by domestic shoppers. This spending differential makes international fan attendance particularly valuable for Mexican businesses.
Could a US Boycott Benefit Mexico?
If significant numbers of international fans choose to avoid US matches while still attending the tournament, Mexico could emerge as a primary beneficiary. Some advocacy groups have called for matches scheduled in the United States to be moved to Canada and Mexico. While such a dramatic shift remains unlikely given FIFA’s existing agreements and infrastructure plans, fans who are uncomfortable traveling to the US could choose to attend only matches in Mexican or Canadian cities.
The geographic distribution of matches creates natural travel patterns. Fans following teams playing in Group A, which includes Mexico, will already be concentrated in Mexico City. Similarly, fans from countries facing US travel restrictions could focus their World Cup experience on Mexican venues, where entry requirements remain more accessible.
Mexico’s Plan Concanaco: Un Mundial Muy Mexicano (A Very Mexican World Cup) aims to distribute economic benefits beyond the three host cities through community tourism, cultural experiences, and local gastronomy. The plan targets neighborhood economies and family-owned businesses rather than concentrating revenue in large international chains. Seven additional cities have been designated as training hubs: Puebla, Torreon, Queretaro, Pachuca, Cancun, Toluca, and Tijuana.
Practical Realities of a Boycott
Despite growing rhetoric, most analysts believe a coordinated boycott remains unlikely. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has maintained close ties with the Trump administration, including opening a FIFA office in Trump Tower in New York City. In 2025, Infantino presented Trump with an inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during a ceremony in Washington, DC.
The Trump administration has attempted to address visa concerns by launching the FIFA PASS (Priority Appointment Scheduling System), which prioritizes visa interviews for ticket holders. More than 400 additional consular officers have been deployed to US embassies worldwide to handle World Cup-related visa requests.
Fans from 212 countries and territories submitted ticket requests during the random selection draw phase, with FIFA reporting an average of 15 million ticket requests per day over a 33-day application window. Residents of the three host countries drove the most purchases, followed by fans in England, Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, and France.
France’s Sports Minister Marina Ferrari stated there is currently no desire for a boycott of the tournament. The Danish Football Association has acknowledged the situation as sensitive but stopped short of advocating withdrawal.
Mexico’s Opportunity Amid Uncertainty
For Mexico, the World Cup arrives at a difficult time in US-Mexico relations. The tournament offers an opportunity to showcase the country’s infrastructure, culture, and hospitality to a global audience. Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard has described the event as a chance to compete against negative narratives and demonstrate what kind of country Mexico really is.
Cultural programming will accompany the matches. The Mexico of My Flavors gastronomic festival runs from June 5 to July 22 in Mexico City, uniting cuisine, crafts, and folk art from all Mexican states. A beautification program called Rutas Magicas de Color will enhance public spaces, and football tournaments will be held in Pueblos Magicos, towns recognized for their historical and cultural significance.
Whether or not boycott calls gain traction, Mexico appears positioned to benefit from the tournament. Fans who wish to experience the World Cup while avoiding political tensions in the US will find an alternative in Mexican host cities. For supporters from countries facing travel restrictions, Mexico offers the only North American option for watching their teams in person.
The tournament will test whether sport can remain separate from geopolitics. For 39 days this summer, the world of football will be watching closely, and Mexico will be ready to welcome whoever arrives.
Visit the official FIFA website for match details and ticket information.