On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Alfredo Gómez Palacios, secretary general of Puebla’s Section 51 of the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE), was seen attending the World Cup opening ceremony, sparking debate over the high cost of tickets for the event.

Captured live on TV Azteca during the broadcast hosted by Facundo, cameras panned across the stadium stands and focused on various fans, including Gómez Palacios and his brother, who also works closely with him as his personal secretary and driver.

The controversy centers on the ticket prices, which were among the most expensive of the tournament. Reports from ticket sales and resale platforms show that preferred seating for the opening ceremony cost around 80,000 pesos per person, with some resale prices reaching up to 280,000 pesos.

This led to questions on social media about how the union leader financed his attendance, especially given his role representing thousands of education workers in Puebla. As of now, Gómez Palacios has not publicly addressed his presence at the event or the expenses involved.

Reactions online have been mixed: some defend his attendance as a private matter, while others argue that, due to his public position, transparency about the trip and funding is warranted.

This episode adds to ongoing scrutiny of union leaders and public officials when they appear at high-profile, costly events. What remains clear is that Gómez Palacios’s presence at the World Cup opening did not go unnoticed by cameras or social media users.