Get you up to speed: Mexican president to attend World Cup final at Trump’s invitation amid trade tensions
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will attend the World Cup final in New Jersey after receiving an invitation from U.S. President Trump. The leaders’ meeting follows months of tensions, with officials from both countries set to engage in trade negotiations two days after the match.
Officials from the U.S. and Mexico are scheduled to meet on July 20, 2026, for bilateral negotiations focused on trade issues. The review of 53 Mexican consulates in the United States follows the deaths of two CIA officers during an operation in Northern Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed her attendance at the World Cup final following an invitation from President Trump, marking their first meeting since December. U.S. and Mexican officials plan to engage in bilateral trade negotiations two days after the match, amidst ongoing tensions regarding security and trade issues.
What remains unclear — Further details on the content of the message Sheinbaum plans to record remain undisclosed.
Mexican president to attend World Cup final at Trump’s invitation amid trade tensions
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she will attend Sunday’s World Cup final after an invitation from President Trump, their first meeting since December, following months of verbal sparring.
Sheinbaum did not attend the World Cup’s opening match in Mexico City, when her national team beat South Africa 2-0. Instead, she gave her ticket to a young Indigenous woman.
Now, tickets for Sunday’s final were listed at nearly $10,000 on FIFA’s site for the cheapest seats by Saturday afternoon.
“I decided to go because it is a direct invitation from the president of the United States,” Sheinbaum told Mexican media. “Canadian Prime Minister (Mark) Carney will also be there, and tomorrow I will record a message with more details.”
The relationship between Sheinbaum and Mr. Trump is mired in tensions in different areas, including security and trade. Their last encounter was at the World Cup draw in December.
The leaders have openly exchanged barbs while also publicly pledging cooperation. In May, the State Department said it was initiating a review of 53 Mexican consulates in the United States following the deaths of two CIA officers during an operation in Northern Mexico.
Mr. Trump said weeks later in June that the United States would not extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, a key trade pact, until 2042.
Officials from the U.S. and Mexico are scheduled to meet two days after the World Cup final for another round of bilateral negotiations around trade issues.
The World Cup is being hosted jointly by the three North American nations for the first time. Defending champions Argentina will take on Spain for the title in New Jersey. Spain’s King Felipe VI is also expected to attend.