As the 2026 World Cup gets underway in Mexico, ticket prices have sparked widespread criticism for placing matches out of reach for most of the population. In a country where football is as much a cultural celebration as a sporting event, the steep costs have reignited an uncomfortable debate: who, exactly, is this World Cup for?
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo weighed in on the issue even before the tournament began, revealing that she had received a complimentary ticket to a match but chose to give it away so someone else could enjoy the experience. On Monday, during her regular morning press conference, she returned to the topic and called on FIFA to reassess its pricing strategy.
“FIFA needs to reflect on this,” Sheinbaum said. “Football should not be only about business.”
The president emphasized that the World Cup ought to serve as a unifying force rather than a source of exclusion particularly in a nation where millions of Mexicans follow the national team with deep emotional ties.
“We are living in an important moment because football should bring people together, not divide them. The high cost of tickets should prompt reflection, even at FIFA. It is acceptable for the tournament to be profitable, but it must also remain a space for encounter and shared experience,” she said.
Sheinbaum also underscored her administration’s efforts to promote what she called the “social World Cup,” an initiative designed to extend the tournament’s excitement to those who cannot afford stadium entry.
“People are happy, very happy, really happy,” she said, pointing to both the national team’s recent victory and the availability of free viewing options for matches.
Her comments come amid growing public outcry over ticket prices, which for many fans amount to the equivalent of several months’ wages.
While the World Cup is billed as a global celebration, the financial barrier to attending matches has effectively sidelined a significant portion of the Mexican fan base, the very community that has long fueled the country’s enduring passion for the sport.
