Mexico Battles Soccer Merchandise Piracy Costing Over 63 Billion Pesos Annually

Piracy poses a significant threat to Mexico's economy and the upcoming 2026 World Cup, with losses exceeding 63 billion pesos and impacting 70,000 jobs. Authorities have already confiscated over 80,000 counterfeit items in recent raids, highlighting enforcement efforts. The legal framework, including FIFA’s 344 trademarks, aims to curb intellectual property theft, but bureaucratic challenges remain, making formalization of commerce a key next step.