Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held a meeting on Thursday with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
“I appreciate the visit of Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, to discuss the progress of the World Cup,” Sheinbaum shared in a social media post accompanied by photos with Infantino and the tournament trophy. She also confirmed that the opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at Mexico City’s historic Azteca Stadium on June 11, 2026.
The president highlighted that Mexico will host a total of 13 matches spread across three major cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. These fixtures will mark Mexico’s third time serving as a World Cup host nation, following the tournaments in 1970 and 1986.
Infantino’s visit to Mexico follows his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which Trump announced that the official World Cup draw will be held on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Infantino, who has maintained a close relationship with Trump, presented the World Cup trophy during the event, even allowing the American president to handle it.
The 2026 tournament will be the first World Cup staged across three countries, making it one of the largest editions in history. However, the event arrives during a period of political and economic strain in North America, as tensions remain high between Mexico, the United States, and Canada due to Trump’s trade and tariff policies.
What you should know
Mexico’s hosting of 13 matches in the 2026 World Cup reaffirms its historic role in global football, with the Azteca Stadium set to open the tournament once again.
While the event highlights North America’s collaboration, political frictions, particularly under Trump’s leadership, add an unusual backdrop to what is expected to be one of the biggest sporting spectacles in history.
