Mexico City — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was notably absent from the opening match of the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, in which Mexico faced South Africa at Banorte Stadium in Mexico City. Instead of attending the game, Sheinbaum relinquished her VIP ticket to Yolett Cervantes Cuaquehua, a 21-year-old Indigenous athlete from Veracruz, who won a government-sponsored contest to claim the seat.

Sheinbaum had announced last month that she would abstain from attending any World Cup matches, citing solidarity with everyday Mexicans who struggled to afford the event’s costly tickets. The decision is unusual, as host country leaders typically attend the tournament’s opening match, an event that often serves as a platform for political visibility on the international stage.

“This is a historic moment in my life,” Cervantes said in an interview, explaining that she grew up inspired by soccer after watching a match between Real Madrid and Juventus during a public speaking contest trip. Cervantes, a Nahua woman, stood out among 1,000 finalists through a viral video showcasing her juggling skills while barefoot and wearing traditional Indigenous clothing. Sheinbaum framed her gesture as both a statement of solidarity and an effort to empower young women in a sport historically dominated by men.

Sheinbaum has emphasized the need to broaden opportunities for women in sports and related fields. “For many years, doors were closed to us— preventing us from becoming referees, soccer players, commentators or sports hosts,” she said earlier this year. “Today, we want to open those doors to women and their rights, so they can be whatever they want to be and have every opportunity to achieve it.”

Unlike Sheinbaum, leaders in the other host nations—Canada and the United States—have not formally confirmed their attendance at opening matches. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was abroad for diplomatic meetings coinciding with Canada’s first game. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the high cost of tickets and indicated he would not pay to attend, despite being ceremonially presented with a ticket by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Political analysts suggest Sheinbaum’s absence may have broader implications amid a challenging domestic climate. Her administration and party Morena have faced criticism over alleged protection of officials implicated in cartel-related investigations. Additionally, ongoing protests by various groups—including teachers, federal judges, anti-corruption activists, and opponents of the World Cup—have created a tense environment nationwide.

Sports sociologist Sergio Varela noted that attending the match could have exposed Sheinbaum to open hostility from portions of the Mexican elite, who largely disapprove of her government. “Mexican stadiums are notoriously hostile territory for sitting presidents,” he said. Meanwhile, Mónica de la Vega, a sports anthropologist, observed that upcoming demonstrations during the tournament could harness global attention to highlight pressing social and political issues.

Sheinbaum’s symbolic gesture of ceding her ticket to an Indigenous young woman reflects not only a critique of the event’s exclusivity but also a statement of political positioning amid fragile domestic dynamics as the World Cup unfolds in Mexico.