‘Tickets are very expensive’: Mexican president Sheinbaum explains why she did not attend World Cup opener
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum skipped the 2026 World Cup opener, citing the high cost of tickets as unaffordable for most citizens. She donated her VIP ticket to a young Indigenous athlete who won a government contest.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the socio-economic divide and the controversy surrounding the accessibility of major international sporting events.
Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, celebrates a goal at Deportivo Hermanos Galeana during the 2026 World Cup opener in Mexico City. Photograph: Presidencia de Mexico/Handout/Reuters View image in fullscreen Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, celebrates a goal at Deportivo Hermanos Galeana during the 2026 World Cup opener in Mexico City. Photograph: Presidencia de Mexico/Handout/Reuters World Cup 2026 ‘Tickets are very expensive’: Mexican president Sheinbaum explains why she did not attend World Cup opener President gave ticket to a young female soccer fan
The framing highlights the president's populist gesture and focuses on economic inequality regarding ticket pricing.
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