Xóchitl Gálvez made a significant return to social media to deliver a sharp response to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum after the leader announced her intention to gift a ticket for the inaugural match of the 2026 World Cup to a girl from a low-income background. In a video, Gálvez appeared visibly unimpressed, sarcastically stating that it would be an even better gesture if Sheinbaum shared the ticket with her husband so both could attend.
“Don’t pull back, President. Are you afraid of the boos?” Gálvez concluded her critique in reference to Sheinbaum’s recent comments made during an event at the cultural complex Los Pinos, where she officially kicked off the celebrations for the upcoming global tournament.
During the same event, President Sheinbaum announced her plan to give away her ticket for the match on June 11, 2026, which will take place at the recently renamed Estadio Banorte (formerly Estadio Azteca). Accompanied by her cabinet members and authorities from the FIFA organizing committee, Sheinbaum expressed her vision for an inclusive World Cup, which will feature 48 of the best national teams from around the globe.
In her remarks, Sheinbaum emphasized inclusivity, stating, “This World Cup should be inclusive in our country. I decided to give my ticket to a girl or a young woman who loves football and does not have the opportunity to attend the inauguration. We are defining how we will choose her, but that ticket, number 00001, will be a way for her to dream about football.”
Despite making this announcement, Sheinbaum did not clarify whether she would remain at the Estadio Azteca after delivering her speech or if she would attend at all, leading to questions about her presence during the pivotal event.
Gálvez’s comments reveal the ongoing political rivalry and face-offs in Mexican politics, further highlighting the differing approaches to inclusivity and community engagement between the two figures. As the excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup, the focus not only remains on the games themselves but also on the narratives and discussions that arise from key political players.