Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that she will skip the opening match of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City, instead giving her premium ticket to a young female fan who could not otherwise afford to attend.
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“I’ve made a decision. I’m going to give my ticket to the opening ceremony to a girl or young woman who doesn’t have the opportunity to attend and who loves football,” Sheinbaum said at a press conference.
Sheinbaum had previously confirmed during FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s visit in August that she would not be using the ticket. Now, she plans to gift the coveted ticket number 00001 for the match on June 11, which marks the tournament’s official kickoff, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
“We are deciding how we are going to choose, but I am going to give that ticket, the number 00001, to a girl so she can dream about football,” she added.
Sheinbaum recalled Mexico City’s historic role in World Cup history, having hosted opening matches in 1970 and 1986, making the Azteca Stadium the first venue ever to stage three World Cup openers.
The president also mentioned planned activities and infrastructure investments in co-host cities Guadalajara and Monterrey, though she did not provide details on the projects or funding amounts.
Her gesture highlights a commitment to youth empowerment and gender equality in sports, giving young fans a chance to witness one of football’s biggest global events firsthand.
