Mexico has cancelled the remainder of the 2025 school year to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a decision that has drawn sharp condemnation from British education specialists. The move, announced late Monday by the Secretariat of Public Education, will affect approximately 30 million students across all primary and secondary state schools. The government has framed the cancellation as a necessary measure to streamline infrastructure projects, security planning, and volunteer training before the tournament, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada.
UK education experts have denounced the policy as a prioritisation of sporting spectacle over children's learning. Dr. Eleanor Hartley, a fellow at the Institute of Education in London, described the decision as 'an abdication of state responsibility'. 'Cancelling an entire academic year for a month-long event is an extraordinary step that risks long-term damage to human capital development,' she said. 'This sends a clear signal that short-term international prestige outweighs foundational education.' The criticism echoes broader concerns about the displacement of social spending by mega-events, a pattern observed in previous World Cup and Olympic host nations.
Mexican officials have defended the decision, citing the need for a national mobilisation to ensure the World Cup's success. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the cancellation would allow families to participate in the event and free up resources for temporary infrastructure. 'This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase Mexico to the world,' she said. 'Our children will learn from this experience.' However, no official plan for catch-up classes or accelerated curricula has been announced, leading to fears of a learning deficit.
The decision has also sparked debate within Mexico. Teacher unions have promised legal challenges, and parent groups have voiced concerns about lost instruction time, particularly for students in critical exam years. The cancellation is expected to disproportionately affect low-income families who rely on school meals and childcare.
As Mexico proceeds with its unprecedented educational hiatus, the international community will watch closely. The Human Rights Watch has already flagged the policy for potential violations of the right to education, a point that Mexico will likely contest as it prepares to host the world's most watched sporting event.
