Claudia Sheinbaum touts World Cup 2026 opening as a tourism surge and national celebration

President Claudia Sheinbaum said the FIFA World Cup 2026 inauguration showcased Mexico’s joy and cultural vitality, stating “the image of Mexico is the happiness of the people and all Mexicans.” She highlighted the event’s economic impact, noting a record 34.5 million foreign visitors in the first four months of 2026 – 9.7 % more than the previous year – generating US $13.259 billion in tourism revenue. The tourism ministry projected more than 10 million international visitors for June and estimated that each visitor spends about 48 % more than the average tourist.

Sheinbaum explained that she declined the official stadium ticket, which she gave to a young fan from Veracruz, and attended the match from a public fan‑fest at Deportivo Hermanos Galeana in Gustavo A. Madero. She downplayed protests surrounding the opening, describing them as isolated attempts to portray Mexico as chaotic, and affirmed that the inauguration would proceed without problems. Opposition figures, including PRI coordinator Arturo Medina, criticized her absence and said the government was ignoring pressing issues such as disappearances, drug‑related violence and teachers’ demands.