Mexico Pres. Claudia Sheinbaum to Attend World Cup Final With Trump

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that she will attend the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday after accepting an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump. She will also be joined by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

In a message shared on X, President Claudia Sheinbaum said her attendance reflected the importance of cooperation between the three countries hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“I considered it politically important that the three countries hosting the ‌World Cup are involved, and it is also a sign of the strong ‌coordination and collaboration we have with the ‌U.S. ⁠government,” Sheinbaum said.

The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will conclude five weeks of football featuring 48 teams after the tournament began in Mexico City on 11 June.

Sheinbaum had previously said she would not attend any World Cup matches in solidarity with ordinary Mexicans who could not afford the high cost of tickets. Prices for the tournament reached thousands of dollars, while tickets for the final have exceeded 10,000 US dollars following FIFA’s adoption of a dynamic pricing model.

The meeting between Sheinbaum, Trump, and Carney also comes at a significant political moment. Mexico and Canada are engaged in trade discussions with the United States, seeking to persuade Trump to extend the trilateral North American trade agreement.

Although Sheinbaum has maintained a generally cordial relationship with Trump, the two leaders have faced periods of tension. Relations between Trump and Carney have been more confrontational, with both leaders publicly exchanging criticism and tariff threats.

Trade officials from the United States and Mexico are due to meet in Mexico City on Tuesday for a third round of negotiations covering issues such as steel, the automotive industry, agriculture, and electronic payment systems.

Will the World Cup final also provide an opportunity for progress in North American trade talks?