FIFA boss Gianni Infantino on Monday gave President Claudia Sheinbaum — and Mexico — a vote of confidence as preparations for this summer’s World Cup continue apace.
In a video posted to social media, Sheinbaum said, “Everything will go very well during the World Cup,” while Infantino asserted that the tournament would be “a fiesta, a big success for Mexico.”
Un gusto recibir a Gianni Infantino, presidente de la FIFA, en Palacio Nacional. pic.twitter.com/u8ZsHvEOf6
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) March 30, 2026
Infantino had been in Mexico since last week when he attended two World Cup qualifiers on Thursday — one in Monterrey, the other in Guadalajara — and spent the weekend meeting with Mexican Soccer Federation officials before visiting Sheinbaum at the National Palace.
The visit was the latest hurdle Mexico had to clear ahead of the World Cup, particularly after the violence that erupted in late February in and around Guadalajara.
Of equal concern was Saturday night’s international friendly between Mexico and Portugal (a game that ended in a scoreless draw), which served as the re-opening of the Estadio Azteca, which has been undergoing extensive renovations for nearly two years.
Slow construction progress prompted concerns that the stadium could be stripped of hosting duties, but Infantino expressed satisfaction in an Instagram post after the match.
“It was a pleasure to be at the Mexico City (Banorte) Stadium, a true cathedral of football, as it reopens following its modernization,” he said.
Although the game itself went off without a hitch, logistical issues were evident (the parking lots are unfinished, new public transport routes and terminals are not yet ready) at the iconic venue which is slated to become the first stadium in the world to host three separate World Cups.
Still, Sheinbaum praised the traffic control operation that “prevented congestion and facilitated access to the stadium for attendees.”
Others were less sanguine, with the sports journal Esto describing the scene as chaotic. Some of the mobility problems were caused by protesters who accuse the government of gentrifying the neighborhood trying to block roads south of the stadium.
A large part of the credit for the “success” of the operation must go to the commuters who, Sheinbaum admitted, parked at some distance from the stadium and approached on foot, entering the grounds at controlled access points.
Sheinbaum also said she would talk with Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada about necessary improvements though she declined to elaborate.
The night was further marred by the death of a fan who fell from box seats in the upper deck before the game began.
“Although this was an isolated incident, security measures will be reviewed and reinforced,” Sheinbaum said.
Monday’s meeting demonstrated that Mexico is on track to carry out its hosting duties beginning with the inaugural World Cup match on June 11 when El Tri takes on South Africa in Estadio Azteca.
With reports from La Jornada, Excelsior, Infobae, Inside FIFA, Esto and ESPN
