Mexico's president accepting invitation from Donald Trump to attend World Cup final - USA Today
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed her intention to accept an invitation from United States President Donald Trump to attend the World Cup final this weekend. The announcement was made by Sheinbaum on Friday, July 17, following an event in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Sheinbaum stated that the direct invitation from the U.S. president was the reason for her decision to attend the final. She also noted that Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to be present at the event. Sheinbaum plans to record a message with further details on Saturday afternoon and anticipates returning to her regular duties on Monday morning.
Heads of State Gather for Final
The upcoming final marks the first World Cup match Sheinbaum will attend. Previously, she had given her ticket for the inaugural match in Mexico City on June 11 to an Indigenous girl who plays soccer. However, Sheinbaum did participate in at least two fan festival events during games involving the Mexico national team.
The World Cup has been hosted across the three North American countries, serving as a connection between nations that have experienced a tense relationship. President Trump’s attendance at the final has been anticipated for some time, with additional confirmations emerging this week. He is expected to present the trophy to the winning team alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The final match will feature either Argentina or Spain, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19. The game is set to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
International Relations and Diplomatic Presence
The final will also see other prominent international figures in attendance. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez plans to be at the final, as confirmed by his office on Friday. Spanish King Felipe VI is also expected to watch the game in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The presence of both Sánchez and Trump at the event is notable, given their past diplomatic disagreements on various global issues, including the Iran war, Spain’s contributions to NATO, and U.S. support for Israel’s military response in Gaza following the 2023 Hamas attacks.
In contrast, Argentine President Javier Milei, an ally of Trump, will not be attending the final. Milei cited superstition as his reason for watching the game from home, as the three-time winner Argentina aims to defend its world title against 2010 champion Spain.
Recent Diplomatic Engagements
Sheinbaum’s attendance at the final follows her initial in-person meeting with Trump during events surrounding the World Cup draw in December 2025. During that time, all three heads of state selected their respective nations at the Kennedy Center.
This month, Sheinbaum announced her intention to pursue legal action in U.S. courts. This decision comes after several Mexican nationals reportedly died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Mexico provided further details on July 14, indicating that complaints would be filed with the U.S. Department of Justice and individual states’ attorneys general. Additionally, cease and desist letters have been sent to detention centres where Mexican nationals have died, and a letter has been dispatched to Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, requesting an investigation into the matter. The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19.
Source: eu.usatoday.com
