Claudia Sheinbaum’s trip to the 2026 World Cup final was a last-minute decision, sparked by a personal invitation from then-US President Donald Trump. Initially, Sheinbaum had only received an invitation from FIFA and was even considering skipping the match.

The turning point came on Friday, when Trump called her directly. “He asked me, ‘Claudia, are you coming?’ I replied, ‘Well, if you invite me, President Trump.’ He said, ‘Yes, yes, you’re invited. Come, you’ll be sitting right there with us,’” Sheinbaum recounted.

At the time, Sheinbaum was in Cancún and had purchased commercial flight tickets to New York with her team. However, a severe storm led to the cancellation of their flight, leaving no viable commercial options to reach the final on time.

Faced with this challenge, she requested assistance from Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense to travel on an official military aircraft. Sheinbaum emphasized that this decision was solely due to the canceled commercial flight and the invitation to the event.

Her choice reflects the complexities public officials face balancing protocol, logistics, and diplomacy. It also highlights how unexpected circumstances can lead to unconventional solutions—like using military transport for a high-profile sporting event.

For many, this story underscores the importance of flexible, reliable transportation options. As Mexico continues to invest in innovative public transit systems like the cablebús, which aim to connect communities efficiently and sustainably, such infrastructure could one day reduce the need for last-minute travel improvisations at the highest levels.