Mexico ends school year early due to heat and World Cup
The decision to close schools 40 days ahead of schedule has drawn criticism from parents and educators.
By Polaris Newsroom
9 May, 2026
Mexico will end its school year 40 days earlier than planned. The decision comes as the country faces a severe heatwave and prepares to host World Cup matches. Education Secretary Mario Delgado announced the change on Friday.
Delgado stated that many Mexican states are already experiencing very high temperatures. He also cited the upcoming World Cup as a reason for the early closure. The school year was originally set to end in mid-July.
The World Cup tournament begins on June 11. Mexico is co-hosting the event with the United States and Canada. Mexico will play its first match against South Africa in Mexico City.
Authorities are considering starting the next academic year sooner. This would help make up for the lost school days. The new school year is currently scheduled to begin on August 31.
President Claudia Sheinbaum initially described the early closure as just a "proposal" when it was first announced. The decision has since faced widespread criticism.
Reporting incorporates material from a third-party source. Original
