As part of the new BWI–FIFA Cooperation Agreement, the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) conducted an official mission to Monterrey on 25 and 27 November, one of the three Mexican host cities of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in North America.
The BWI delegation included representatives from its Mexican affiliate CIT, Unite the Union (United Kingdom), and SUNTRACS (Panama). The first visit focused on the BBVA Stadium, which is set to host four World Cup matches. This on-site mission forms part of the joint verification and monitoring process established under the new agreement with FIFA. As part of the visit, the trade union delegation also met with members of FIFA’s Human Rights Committee for Mexico and the stadium management team, whose venue has a capacity of 52,000 spectators. Details of completed renovation works, plans for temporary infrastructure, and operational procedures for the tournament were discussed.
Following the observation-based inspection, the BWI delegation noted the stadium’s overall preparedness and the attention given to issues related to community legacy, environmental considerations, and safety. The delegation also shared preliminary recommendations to further strengthen compliance with international labour standards and ensure safe and healthy working conditions for any remaining works. The mission also included a meeting with the Host City Committee, the body responsible for coordinating public and private institutions involved in the organisation, logistics, and delivery of World Cup-related works.
Monterrey continues to advance major projects linked to the World Cup, including the construction of Metro lines 4 and 6, both of which are currently progressing and expected to be completed ahead of the tournament.
Finally, the BWI delegation held a productive exchange with workers from the construction, mining, and metalworking sectors in Monterrey and the broader northeastern region bordering the United States, focusing on occupational safety and health issues.
With the World Cup only six months away, this visit marks the start of BWI’s joint inspection and monitoring programme in Mexico. The next missions will take place in Guadalajara and Mexico City, where BWI will continue verifying that all remaining World Cup–related construction upholds labour standards, protects workers’ rights and fundamental freedoms, and ensures that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is delivered without accidents and with full respect for those who build it.
As part of the global labour movement and a member of the Sport & Rights Alliance, BWI will continue to highlight that responsibility for a rights-respecting World Cup extends beyond stadiums and construction sites. The deteriorating human rights environment in the United States, marked by escalating attacks on migrants, the deployment of National Guard units in host cities, and growing risks to freedom of expression, peaceful protest, and media independence, highlights the need for consistent, transparent safeguards throughout the entire tournament.
Workers, migrants, journalists, supporters, and residents must be protected wherever World Cup activities take place. BWI will therefore continue working with its partners to ensure that FIFA’s human rights commitments are implemented in practice, so that the 2026 World Cup is not only accident-free, but also delivered in full respect of the rights and dignity of everyone who makes it possible.
