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.

-BBC