Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on July 18, 2026, at 3:36 PM EDT, that she will attend the upcoming World Cup final on Sunday after receiving a direct invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump. This event will mark their first face-to-face meeting since the World Cup draw took place in December, following a period characterized by significant verbal sparring between the two leaders.
Sheinbaum shared that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is also expected to be in attendance. The Mexican president noted that she chose to accept the invitation because it came directly from the U.S. president and stated she would provide further details in a recorded message. Spain’s King Felipe VI is also anticipated to attend the match, which features defending champions Argentina playing against Spain in New Jersey. As of Saturday afternoon, the cheapest tickets for the final were listed on FIFA's website at nearly $10,000.
The diplomatic atmosphere remains strained due to ongoing disagreements regarding trade and security. In May, the U.S. State Department initiated a review of 53 Mexican consulates following the deaths of two CIA officers during an operation in Northern Mexico. Furthermore, in June, President Trump announced that the United States would not extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) beyond 2042. Despite these public tensions and recent policy decisions, the two leaders have also expressed a commitment to cooperation. Officials from both nations are scheduled to convene for another round of bilateral trade negotiations just two days after the World Cup final. This year’s tournament holds historical significance as the first to be hosted jointly by the three North American nations.
