On the night of Saturday, July 18, 2026, Mexico City’s president Claudia Sheinbaum boarded a Mexican Defense Secretariat (Sedena) aircraft to travel to New York for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Her original commercial flight was canceled due to adverse weather conditions, prompting the government to arrange military transport to ensure her attendance at the event.

The Mexican government shared on social media that Sheinbaum’s trip was maintained following an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump. Alongside her, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will also attend, representing the three host nations of the tournament: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Sheinbaum is expected to return to Mexico on the night of Sunday, July 19.

In a video posted hours before departure, Sheinbaum emphasized that her presence at the final is a symbol of the strong coordination between the three North American countries. “It’s important that the three organizing countries are represented at the closing ceremony,” she said, highlighting the significance of the leaders’ meeting during the event.

This visit comes at a critical moment in Mexico-U.S. relations, as both governments prepare to resume negotiations on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA or T-MEC) next week. The third round of talks will begin Tuesday in Mexico City, with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer meeting Sheinbaum at the National Palace to review progress. Key topics include steel trade, the automotive industry, agriculture, and electronic payment systems.

According to an official letter from Mexico’s Interior Ministry to Congress, Sheinbaum is representing Mexico at the World Cup final and will participate in the closing ceremony alongside Trump, Carney, and other heads of state. The invitation came from FIFA and the host country’s president. Following the visit, the executive branch must submit a report on outcomes and agreements, as mandated by Article 88 of the Mexican Constitution.

This event will mark only the second in-person meeting between Sheinbaum and Trump. Their first face-to-face encounter was in December 2025 during the official World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. The final ceremony thus offers a renewed opportunity for dialogue among the leaders of the three host nations.

For Mexico, this trip underscores the importance of active diplomatic engagement in major international events, reflecting a commitment to regional cooperation and shared cultural moments like the World Cup.