The government of President Claudia Sheinbaum has agreed with FIFA to limit the validity of the Fiscal Guarantee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the fiscal year 2026, instead of 2028. This measure, enacted through the 2026 Federal Revenue Law, restricts tax exemptions only to those directly involved in organizing the event. The tournament is expected to attract over 5.5 million foreign tourists and generate up to $3 billion in foreign currency.
The Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) announced that the Mexican government has reached an agreement with FIFA to limit the benefits of the Fiscal Guarantee, originally extended by the Enrique Peña Nieto administration to secure co-hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This guarantee included general exemptions from federal and local taxes, as well as the elimination of administrative control processes until 2028, applicable to FIFA, its subsidiaries, member associations, suppliers, contractors, and related third parties.
The guarantee document states that “Mexico guarantees that the provisions contained in this Governmental Guarantee are legally binding and fully valid, as well as directly applicable and fully enforceable in accordance with their terms, and will remain legally binding, fully valid, directly applicable, and fully enforceable, regardless of any change in the Government of Mexico, or any change in laws and regulations.” However, through an enabling norm in the 2026 Federal Revenue Law (LIF), approved by the Legislative Branch last October, its validity was restricted exclusively to the 2026 fiscal year.
Currently, the fiscal benefits apply only to parties directly involved in organizing and hosting the World Cup, exempting them from certain formal obligations, payments, transfers, withholdings, collections, and remittances under fiscal laws. “Those counterparties not directly included in the enabling norm that participate in games and events on national territory must pay ISR,” warned the SHCP. These limitations were achieved through bilateral agreements, without the need for litigation or dispute.
According to the Secretariat of Tourism, the event will strengthen Mexico's image as a global tourism powerhouse, attracting over 5.5 million additional foreign tourists and generating up to $3 billion in foreign currency inflows, while boosting employment and economic activity.
