President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed a half-day work schedule at World Cup venues in Mexico to improve city mobility [1].

The measure aims to streamline traffic and reduce congestion during high-profile sporting events, preventing the gridlock typically associated with massive crowds. By adjusting work hours, the government hopes to ensure that transportation networks remain functional for both fans and residents.

This proposal specifically targets areas surrounding World Cup venues, including locations where matches such as Mexico versus Korea may be viewed, including the Palacio Nacional [1]. The initiative seeks to streamline mobility during the tournament's peak activity periods [1].

Beyond the temporary World Cup measures, Sheinbaum said she confirmed the publication of a broader labor reform. This reform, which establishes a 40-hour work week [2], was scheduled for publication in the Diario Oficial de la Federación on March 3, 2026 [2].

While the 40-hour week is a permanent legislative change to the national labor code, the half-day schedule is a tactical response to the logistical pressures of the World Cup [1, 2]. The administration is balancing long-term labor rights with the immediate need for urban management during a global event.

Government officials have not yet detailed how the half-day schedules will be compensated, or if they will be mandatory for all businesses within the venue perimeters. The focus remains on the reduction of vehicle volume on primary arteries leading to the stadiums [1].

“Sheinbaum proposed a half-day work schedule at World Cup venues in Mexico to improve city mobility.”

The dual approach of implementing temporary half-day schedules alongside a permanent 40-hour work week suggests the Mexican government is using the World Cup as a catalyst for broader labor shifts. By reducing the workday during major events, the administration is attempting to mitigate the infrastructure strain of hosting a global tournament while simultaneously advancing a political agenda of reduced working hours for the general population.