Mexico cancels plans to end school year early for World Cup
Mexico has cancelled plans to end the school year early to coincide with the 2026 World Cup. According to the BBC, the education ministry backed down after warnings that the calendar change would put the curriculum at risk.
Mexico has scrapped plans to wrap up the school year early to align with the opening weeks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to the BBC, the education ministry pulled back to protect the integrity of the curriculum and limit learning losses, particularly in lower-income districts.
The proposal had become a flashpoint. Teachers' unions warned that compressing the syllabus would set back a system still recovering from pandemic-era disruption. Parent associations asked for a separate solution to the security and transport headaches expected during the tournament.
The World Cup will be hosted in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Officials said that, instead of changing the holiday calendar, they will rely on flexible attendance rules on match days and dedicated transport arrangements. Preparations in the host cities are continuing on schedule.
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