Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has fulfilled a promise by donating her ticket to the World Cup opening match to an Indigenous athlete. The ticket, numbered 00001, was given to 21-year-old Yolett Cervantes Cuaquehua from the eastern state of Veracruz.
Cervantes Cuaquehua won a government-organised contest judged on ball-handling skills. She will attend the match between Mexico and South Africa at Azteca Stadium on June 11.
“They are the pride of Mexico. They will not represent the president, or the head of government, they will represent Mexico,” Sheinbaum said at a press conference. She also gave tickets to three other amateur athletes, aged 16, 22, and 23, for matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
Cervantes Cuaquehua expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much for considering us.” Sheinbaum had announced in March that she would not attend the opening game, wanting instead to highlight young female footballers. She plans to watch the match at the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square, where a Fan Fest will be held.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions in Mexico, with some praising it as commendable and others criticising it as a missed opportunity to promote the country.
