Mexico doesn't want tourists at the 2026 World Cup to have problems paying by card: it will provide terminals to 3.2 million businesses

The Ministry of Economy presented the initiative “Grow Your SME with Digital Payments,” which aims to digitize 3.2 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the country by 2030. The program begins this December with a pilot phase that seeks to incorporate 700,000 businesses into card payment acceptance solutions and digital tools.

Ximena Escobedo, head of the Ministry's Productive Development Unit, explained that the first stage will focus on the host cities of the 2026 World Cup: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Furthermore, the official emphasized that digitization is the biggest obstacle preventing SMEs from growing, as a digitized business can increase its sales by up to 30%. There are even cases like that of Ivana, creator of Villa Palomita Mía, whose sales grew by 70% after integrating digital payments, according to data shared during the presentation.

Gradual expansion, ambitious goals, and the participation of major financial players

The second phase of the program will begin in 2026 and will aim to digitize more than one million businesses in states such as Jalisco, Nuevo León, Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Tabasco, Campeche, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and the State of Mexico. A year later, Guanajuato, Puebla, and Michoacán will be added, paving the way for a third phase that will cover the rest of the country, reaching the 3.2 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) projected for 2030.

Marcelo Ebrard, head of the Ministry of Economy, indicated that the initiative will not only expand the acceptance of digital payments but also access to financial services, improve accounting control, and facilitate integration into digital commerce. According to a report by El Economista, Ebrard stated that the strategy will allow more businesses to participate in digital platforms and even expand internationally, with the Ministry acting as a liaison with state governments and industry associations.

According to the report, only 52% of SMEs accepted card payments in 2023; of these, 98% did so at the request of customers, 70% to increase sales and 62% to improve their administrative control.

Heading to the 2026 World Cup: an economic opportunity they don't want to miss

According to El Universal, the Ministry of Economy (SE) and Visa confirmed that this project also targets the estimated economic impact of the 2026 World Cup, which could reach $3 billion. Digitalization will allow local businesses to accept card payments from tourists and international visitors, with technological support from BBVA, Getnet, and Global Payments. The newspaper also highlighted that the strategy is part of the commitments of the Mexico Plan and that the adoption of digital payments will help reduce dependence on cash and modernize business processes nationwide.

Digital payments as a tool for financial inclusion and sustained growth

According to BBVA, the adoption of digital payments by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) is a necessary condition for closing the gap between access to and effective use of financial products. Although in 2024, 63% of adults had a formal savings account, 85% still used cash for small purchases. Furthermore, in 2023 only 13.5% of micro-enterprises accepted card payments, a low figure for a country where 99.8% of economic units are SMEs. Visa has also documented the benefits. According to a study cited by the company, 75% of Mexican SMEs surveyed reported an increase in revenue after adopting digital payments, and 76% improved their business management.

By Obed Nares.