President Claudia Sheinbaum said the 2026 FIFA World Cup will proceed without problems as Mexico begins hosting the tournament this week [1].

The president's assurance comes amid recent public mobilizations and protests in Mexico City. Her comments aim to reassure both domestic and international audiences that the high-profile sporting event will remain stable and secure despite local tensions [1, 3].

Speaking at a Fan Fest in the General Assembly (GAM) and referencing the Zócalo area, Sheinbaum said she wished success to the Mexican national football team [1, 2]. This tournament marks the third time Mexico has hosted the World Cup [4].

Sheinbaum said fans should celebrate the event in a manner that is peaceful, and free from violence or discrimination [2]. She emphasized the importance of following international guidelines to ensure the event's success.

"Primero a respetar las reglas de la FIFA para evitar sanciones," Sheinbaum said [3].

Regarding the overall organization of the event, Sheinbaum said she expressed confidence in the logistics and security measures in place. "La justa deportiva se llevará a cabo muy bien," she said [1].

She further said the public should "festejar en paz y sin violencia ni discriminación" [2]. The president's presence at the Fan Fest served as a public endorsement of the event's safety and a call for national unity during the opening matches.

“"La justa deportiva se llevará a cabo muy bien."”

By explicitly linking the success of the tournament to the avoidance of FIFA sanctions and the suppression of violence, Sheinbaum is attempting to decouple the global image of the World Cup from current domestic political instability. The focus on 'rules' and 'peace' suggests a strategic effort to prevent protests from disrupting the commercial and diplomatic interests associated with hosting the world's largest sporting event.