Mexico Aims to Increase Tourism Through World Cup Hosting

While some critics question the long-term benefits of hosting the World Cup on tourism, Mexican officials remain optimistic. They are targeting to elevate Mexico to become the fifth most visited country globally.

MEXICO CITY – On June 11, fans gathered at a festival in Mexico City to watch Mexico play against South Africa. The government is leveraging the World Cup as a strategy to position Mexico as a prime tourist destination in Latin America.

Currently, the top five most-visited countries globally are France, Spain, the United States, Italy, and Turkey. Mexico ranks sixth, showing strong tourism growth. The country aims to use soccer and geopolitical dynamics for further advancement.

President Claudia Sheinbaum stated, ‘We have set a very ambitious goal’ regarding her administration’s objective to break into the top five by 2030.

The 2026 World Cup is the largest in history with 104 games and 48 countries participating. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the final game will be held in Mexico City between Mexico and England.

Mexican officials predict that the tournament will attract 5.5 million visitors, generating significant economic activity. Despite some skepticism towards these figures, Mexico has made efforts to facilitate easier entry for citizens from various nations, particularly with the World Cup in mind.

Due to stricter U.S. immigration policies under President Trump, Mexico presents itself as a welcoming alternative. ‘Mexico maintains its position of being a friendly country to the world,’ said Gabriela Cuevas, the government’s World Cup representative.