US hospitality hiring rises before World Cup
World Cup preparations boosted US job growth in May, with pubs, bars and restaurants leading a 172,000-job increase
ATT Desk Report
The US economy generated 172,000 new jobs in May, with significant employment growth in the hospitality sector as pubs, bars and restaurants increased recruitment in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026, reports BBC.
They were primarily created in leisure and hospitality, local government, and health care, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The figures cover the lead-up to this summer's tournament, being jointly hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Employment in the financial sector dropped, while the overall unemployment rate held at 4.3%.
Rehan Alam, who owns The Red Lion pub and restaurant in downtown New York City, has hired seven extra bartenders to manage an expected surge in attendance when the World Cup begins next week.
He told the BBC the business was overwhelmed when the tournament was held in Qatar four years ago, and he expects an even bigger boost due to it being hosted in nearby New Jersey.
"Four years ago, when we had the World Cup, we didn't expect it to get that crazy, and it did. It brought a lot of attention to what we've always been trying to do with the soccer," he said.
