Mexico’s Sheinbaum to attend World Cup final following Trump invitation
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed she will travel to New Jersey for the Argentina-Spain match, accepting a direct invitation from US President Donald Trump while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is also expected to attend.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed she will accept an invitation from US President Donald Trump to attend the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. The match is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is also expected to attend the final. Sheinbaum stated she would return to Mexico on Monday morning to resume her normal duties.
Sheinbaum made the announcement on Friday, July 17, after an event in Quintana Roo, stating the decision was made because it was a "direct invitation from the president of the United States." She indicated she would record a message with further details on Saturday afternoon. This marks the first World Cup match Sheinbaum will attend; she previously gave her ticket for the opening match in Mexico City to an indigenous girl who plays soccer, though she did attend fan festival events during Mexico’s group stage games.
The 2026 World Cup is being hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Sheinbaum and Trump first met in person in December 2025 during the World Cup draw in Washington DC. Tensions exist between the two nations regarding immigration; Sheinbaum announced plans to seek legal action in US courts following the deaths of Mexican nationals in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Secretary announced on July 14 that complaints would be sent to the US Department of Justice, state attorneys general, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The article notes that Trump’s presence at the final has been long planned, and he is expected to award the trophy alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The attendance of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is described as "expected," not confirmed. The specific details of Sheinbaum’s upcoming message regarding the trip were not available at the time of reporting. Background security concerns are noted regarding a recent attempted assassination at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, though this is separate from the World Cup event.
