July 18, 2026, 07:14July 18, 2026, 7:15 a.m
At the invitation of US President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is making a surprise trip to the World Cup final in the USA. The head of state of the co-host country explained that she decided to be there because it was a direct invitation from the President of the United States. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will also be there, she told reporters.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.Image: keystone
On June 11th, Sheinbaum decided not to take part in the opening ceremony of the World Cup in his own country. At that time she had given her ticket for the Aztec Stadium to a football-loving indigenous woman. Mexico, the USA and Canada are co-hosting the championship.
Strained relations with Washington
Relations between Mexico and the United States are currently strained over trade and security issues. This may have led Sheinbaum to accept Trump’s invitation at short notice. Sheinbaum has only met personally once with Trump, who has been US President again for a year and a half. That was in December at the World Cup draw in Washington.
In order for the Mexican president to attend the final between Argentina and Spain in East Rutherford near New York, the program of her current trip to the tourist Mexican state of Quintana Roo has been changed, Mexican media reported.
Spain’s royal couple and crown princess will also be there
Spain’s King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Crown Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía will be on site on Sunday. Argentina’s President Javier Milei, however, will not watch the final in the stadium due to superstition. Superstitious rituals, known in Argentina as “cábalas,” are part of football culture for many fans. They often watch games in the same place or in the same clothes. (sda/dpa)