Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum missed the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony, later explaining that she felt no need to "rub shoulders" with the social elite. According to reports from El Financiero and Reforma, Sheinbaum dismissed the necessity of attending the high-profile event while still praising the Mexican national team’s victory in the opening match.
Why Sheinbaum Skipped the Opening Ceremony
The president’s absence from the tournament’s kickoff was described as a surprise by some observers, including reports from Yahoo. Sheinbaum addressed the decision by framing it as a rejection of social climbing and elite circles.
“We don’t need to rub shoulders [with the elite].”
— Claudia Sheinbaum
According to Reforma, this statement served as the primary justification for her decision to bypass the inaugural festivities of the global sporting event.
Challenging the Narrative of National Chaos
Beyond the social implications, Sheinbaum linked her absence to a broader political narrative. She suggested that her decision served as a counterpoint to critics who hoped the event would highlight instability within the country.
According to La Jornada, the president stated that those who wanted to depict the country as being in a state of chaos did not get their wish.
Support for the Mexican National Team
While the president avoided the ceremony, she remained engaged with the sporting results. Sheinbaum publicly celebrated the success of the Mexican national team, often referred to as the "Tri," following their first game of the tournament.
She described the match as "great" and congratulated the team on their triumph, according to El Financiero.
