Hospitality jobs boom as US prepares for World Cup

It is the third month in a row US jobs figures have beaten expectations. Hospitality jobs boom as US prepares for World Cup Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. A World Cup football in front of a fan zone being erected for the World Cup in Kansas City. The US economy created 172,000 jobs in May as pubs, bars and restaurants ramped up hiring ahead of the World Cup. 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%. The BLS said leisure and hospitality businesses created 70,000 jobs in May, a jump from the average monthly increase of 14,000 for the prior year. Firms selling food and drink specifically were responsible for 48,000 of those, it added. The boost helped continue a trend of the US economy creating significantly more jobs than expected despite the rising costs facing businesses as a result of the US-Israel war with Iran. Economists had expected a 105,000 increase, less than the 172,000 seen. The number of jobs created in March and April was also revised up by a combined 93,000, showing hiring was even more resilient than first thought. was also revised up by a combined 93,000, showing hiring was even more resilient than first thought. A street in the US with pedestrians walking around and a US flag hanging from a building. US jobs data beats expectations for second month in a row A 'now hiring' sign is displayed in a business's window in Manhattan on January 09, 2026, in New York City. US jobs surge unexpectedly in March despite Iran war There have been concerns raised that while hiring is up ahead of the World Cup, a subsequent economic boost will not follow due to sky-high prices facing fans. There have been concerns raised that while hiring is up ahead of the World Cup, a subsequent economic boost will not follow Hotels have warned of slow bookings, while fans have complained at being priced out of the tournament, with US President Donald Trump declaring he "wouldn't pay it either" when asked about a $1,000 (£736) ticket price to watch his country play Paraguay in June. Hotels have warned of slow bookings, while fans have complained at being priced out of the tournament, with US President Donald Trump declaring he " " when asked about a $1,000 (£736) ticket price to watch his country play Paraguay in June. Fifa is facing allegations of "artificially inflating prices" and "misleading fans", with the attorney generals of New York and New Jersey launching an investigation into the governing body's practices. Fifa is facing allegations of "artificially inflating prices" and "misleading fans", with the attorney generals of New York and New Jersey launching an investigation into the governing body's practices At the time, Fifa declined to comment on the investigation. Strong jobs figures boost chance of rate rise Economists said the strong jobs figures boost the chances of an interest rate hike by the end of 2026, while pointing to slowing wage growth as a sign household finances are increasingly under pressure. The BLS said average hourly earnings had risen by 3.4% in the last year, while inflation in the US, the rate at which prices are increasing, is running at 3.8%. The rise in inflation has been driven largely by soaring energy prices caused by the US-Israel war in Iran, which has led to the key Strait of Hormuz shipping lane being effectively closed. ING's chief US economist James Knightley said: "The squeeze on household spending power is intensifying with real household disposable incomes having fallen for three consecutive months and consumer confidence remaining close to all-time lows. "There is a long way to go before the end of the year, and we still lean in the direction of eventual rate cuts assuming a deal can be reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz." Employment in local government rose by 55,000 jobs across the month, while 35,000 jobs were created in the healthcare sector. Elsewhere, gains were seen in social work as well as mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction, the BLS said. It pointed to a 22,000 fall in the number of financial services jobs, which have fallen by 105,000 overall from a peak last May. Despite the Iran war, inflation and debt fears, US markets keep hitting record highs, fueled largely by AI. BBC's Samira Hussain looks into whether that bubble will burst. With US waiting staff getting cross at receiving less than 20%, tips are also on the rise elsewhere. The US president piled major pressure on Kevin Warsh's predecessor to cut interest rates.