2026 FIFA World Cup: Risks and Recommendations for Businesses

• Heightened security measures, unruly crowds, and activist-led protests may disrupt normal business operations and key transport routes.
• Criminal exploitation risks will rise, including counterfeit ticket sales, illegal gambling, prostitution rings, and potential involvement of organized crime in vendor and supply-chain contracts.
• Businesses should be proactive to maintain continuity, protect employees and assets, and capitalize on the commercial opportunities of the event. 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will generate substantial operational challenges for businesses located near event venues and along key transport corridors. Heightened security measures are expected to disrupt commercial activity through expanded security perimeters, road closures, restricted access zones, and intensive screening protocols. The FIFA Fan Festivals, which will host live match viewings for thousands of fans across multiple locations, will also pose challenges related to crowd control, safety, and disruptive security measures.

The scale and passion of the tournament can also lead to hooliganism, disorderly conduct, and unpredictable crowd behavior inside and outside venues. The threat of violent protests, vandalism, or terrorist attacks will also be a concern, especially in the hospitality sector.

Activist groups are likely to use the tournament’s global visibility to amplify their causes, including opposition to US immigration policies and criticism of the US administration, as well as LGBTQ advocacy. Protesters could block transit routes near venues, attempt to disrupt games, or clash with law enforcement. These dynamics raise the risk of traffic congestion, business disruptions, and occasional scuffles if protesters are forcibly removed. 

The scale and economic activity associated with the World Cup are likely to attract criminal organizations seeking to exploit commercial opportunities. In Mexico, drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) may attempt to establish front companies to secure vendor contracts linked to the event, creating legal and compliance risks for businesses. Criminal groups may also seek to profit through other illicit activities, including the sale of counterfeit tickets, the operation of illegal gambling networks, and the organization of prostitution rings.  

Businesses operating in hosting cities, particularly those in the retail, hospitality, and transportation sectors, should proactively plan for border delays, enhanced security measures, protest activity, and criminal threats. This will help them be better positioned to maintain continuity, protect employees and assets, and capitalize on the benefits of hosting a global event of this scale. Recommendations for businesses include:

• Prepare for shifts in customer flow, temporary closures, delivery delays, and rerouted traffic.  
• Develop contingency plans to manage logistics disruptions and revised operating schedules for transportation-dependent operations.
• Strengthen contractor due diligence and compliance controls to limit exposure to illicit actors, particularly in Mexico.
• Anticipate prolonged visa processing for business travelers and relocating employees in the hosting countries —especially in the US—which could complicate workforce mobility and disrupt international operations during the tournament. 

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