The 2026 FIFA World Cup is serving as a primary catalyst for the digitalization of Mexico’s MSMEs. With an expected influx of 5.5 million international visitors, digital payment adoption will transition from a competitive advantage to a commercial necessity for small businesses aiming to capture the tournament’s economic impact.
Despite recent growth, digital payment infrastructure remains a challenge. Data from the National Survey of Business Financing indicates that only 54% of Mexican MSMEs currently accept card payments. This gap poses a risk during the World Cup, as international tourists typically prefer cashless transactions.
To address this disparity, the Mexico Ministry of Economy and Visa have launched the Crece tu mipyme con pagos digitales (Grow Your MSME With Digital Payments) initiative. The strategy aims to digitalize 3.2 million MSMEs by 2030, with an immediate target of 1 million businesses by the 2026 World Cup.
The program leverages partnerships with financial institutions including BBVA, Getnet, and Global Payments to provide accessible point-of-sale (POS) alternatives. Options include:
-
Zero-cost devices: Terminals with no initial investment fee
-
Preferential commissions: Reduced transaction fees tailored for small business margins
-
Usage-based models: Schemes where merchants only pay when the terminal is active, eliminating fixed monthly rents
The integration of digital payments offers measurable advantages for small businesses, as businesses adopting electronic payments report a 30% increase in sales; reducing cash on hand lowers the risk of theft and operational loss; and digital transaction records provide the data necessary for formal financial institutions to offer credit, insurance, and working capital.
In Monterrey, one of the three Mexican host cities, excitement over the modernization of the BBVA Stadium is being tempered by a harsh reality: Mexico’s payment systems remain cash based. While the government eases the fiscal path for international organizers, local commerce is struggling to keep pace with global technology. Fabricio Moreno, Country Manager, Adyen, warns that Mexico’s infrastructure is dangerously “old school.”
In countries like South Korea or Sweden, cash is nearly non-existent. In Mexico, only 30% of transactions are made via digital wallets. Most international fans no longer carry cash and rely entirely on contactless payments. According to Moreno, if a payment is rejected on the first attempt, the consumer is likely to abandon the purchase entirely.
FIFA Remains Tax Extempt
President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that Mexico will uphold tax exemptions for FIFA and its partners during the 2026 World Cup, as previously reported by MBN. While these fiscal privileges, originally negotiated in 2016 under former President Enrique Peña Nieto, remain legally binding, the current administration has successfully narrowed their duration to the 2026 fiscal year only.
The Ministry of Finance clarified that while the original “Government Guarantee” is enforceable across changes in administration, recent negotiations restricted the benefits. The exemptions now apply strictly to parties directly involved in tournament organization across the host cities of Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. Notably, Mexico is the only host nation providing full national exemptions, whereas the United States and Canada are offering only partial relief.
Tournament Impact and Infrastructure
Mexico is set to become the first three-time host of the FIFA World Cup. Key highlights include:
-
Matches: 13 matches across three host cities
-
Economic Reach: Expected impact between US$1.8 billion (MX$32.3 billion) and US$3 billion, with 5.5 million international visitors
-
Infrastructure: MX$9 billion in upgrades to Mexico City’s AICM airport, alongside improvements in Monterrey, Guadalajara, and the AIFA airport train link