The 2026 World Cup football festival has just begun. Although Canada and the United States are still waiting their turn, which will come later down the line, Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca kicked off the World Cup that will be held across the three countries running through to Sunday, July 19.

However, for the first time in history, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum declined to attend the Mexico vs. South Africa match that will signal the tournament’s start. “I am not going to any match, neither the opener nor any other,” she said a month ago at a meeting with reporters.

Her VIP ticket, numbered 001, was put into a draw and went to Yolett Cervantes, an indigenous young woman who won a contest organized by the Mexican government. Meanwhile, the president planned to travel to the Zócalo, the city’s main square, to watch her team’s debut if the protests allow it.

The fact that the ticket went to a young woman carried far more than symbolic weight; in her view it was a way to give value to women in a traditionally male sport. “Doors have been closed to us for many years as referees, players, commentators. Today we want to open those doors to women, to their rights, to let them be whatever they want and have every opportunity to do so,” she added.

The contest that awarded Cervantes the ticket was rather curious: the young woman appeared juggling a ball with great skill, barefoot and wearing traditional indigenous dress. A Real Madrid and Juventus fan, she hoped to experience “a historic moment” at Estadio Azteca.

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