Sex workers in Mexico City protested against urban construction projects linked to the 2026 [1] FIFA World Cup that they say are displacing them.
The demonstrations highlight the tension between global sporting events and the marginalized populations living in host cities. These workers argue that infrastructure improvements often serve as a mechanism to remove impoverished or stigmatized groups from public view before international visitors arrive.
Tens of protesters [3] marched through central Mexico City, including areas around Calzada de Tlalpan and a newly inaugurated bike lane [2]. The group demanded access to dignified work, housing, and health services, as well as a voice in urban planning decisions [2].
Participants described the construction as a form of "social cleaning." One protester said that the new bike lane is displacing them and removing their ability to work [3].
For some, the impact is a complete loss of established business. Montserrat Fuentes, who has worked in the same location for 20 years [4], said the usual flood of clients that arrives every Friday night has disappeared [4]. Another worker, referred to as Flor, said she is unable to make a living under the current conditions [2].
The protests follow a pattern of reported economic hardship and displacement for poor residents in the city as preparations for the 2026 [1] tournament accelerate. The workers maintain that the urban redesign specifically targets their zones of operation to sanitize the city center for the global stage [2].
“"Esta ciclovía nos está desplazando y nos quita la posibilidad de trabajar"”
This conflict illustrates the 'gentrification' effect often associated with mega-events, where city governments prioritize aesthetic and infrastructure upgrades to attract tourism over the survival of informal economies. By labeling the process 'social cleaning,' the protesters are framing the World Cup preparations not as urban progress, but as a targeted removal of vulnerable populations to project a specific image to the world.
