As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, anticipation is building not only among football fans, but also across the gaming industry. Mega sporting events have historically driven spikes in sports betting activity, and the World Cup – given its scale, duration and global reach – is the most powerful catalyst of all.

For Mexico, however, the equation is more complex. As one of the three host countries alongside the US and Canada, our country faces a dual challenge: capturing the economic upside of increased betting activity while ensuring that its regulatory framework is robust enough to protect consumers and provide legal certainty to operators. So, is Mexico ready?