President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a decree allowing remote work for federal employees and permitting schools to suspend classes during the FIFA World Cup 2026 inauguration [1, 2].
The measure aims to reduce traffic congestion and allow citizens to view the Mexican national team's matches as the country prepares to host the global event [1, 2].
Under the decree, federal government offices and public schools in Mexico City and other regions, including Jalisco and Guadalajara, may implement home-office schedules or transition to online learning [1, 3]. The government said it intends to facilitate public viewing of matches while managing the mobility of millions of residents and visitors during the tournament's opening stages [1, 2].
Specific scheduling for the national team continues to drive local planning. For example, a match between Mexico and the Czech Republic is scheduled for June 24, 2026, at 18:30 [3]. To support these events, Mexico City has designated 18 venues for World Cup activities [4].
Despite the announcement, some reports indicate contradictions regarding the scope of the mandate. While some sources point to a decree published in the Official Gazette of the Federation, other reports suggest that no federal instruction exists and that decisions regarding class suspensions and remote work will remain at the state level [1, 2].
Local governments have already begun acting on these guidelines. In Jalisco, officials said they have moved to suspend classes to accommodate the influx of fans and the logistical demands of the matches [3].
“President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a decree allowing remote work for federal employees.”
The conflicting reports regarding whether the remote work mandate is a federal requirement or a state-level option suggest a fragmented administrative rollout. By shifting federal employees and students to remote settings, the Mexican government is attempting to prevent a total collapse of urban mobility in major hubs like Mexico City and Guadalajara during one of the largest sporting events in history.
