Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to criticism over her absence from the FIFA World Cup inauguration ceremony at Estadio Ciudad de Mexico, stating she does not need to “rub elbows at the top.” Instead of attending the high-profile sporting event, Sheinbaum traveled to Manzanillo, Colima, where she participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new IMSS Regional Specialty Hospital.
The president’s decision to prioritize the healthcare infrastructure project over the World Cup opening has generated public discussion about her leadership priorities and governing philosophy. Her comments came during the event in Colima on June 12, 2026, where she was joined by IMSS Director Zoé Robledo and Colima Governor Indira Vizcaíno.
Sheinbaum Explains Her Decision
President Sheinbaum addressed questions about her absence from the World Cup inauguration directly, emphasizing her commitment to being close to the Mexican people rather than attending VIP events.
“But that is the difference. We do not need to rub elbows at the top. What we need is to always be with the people, close to the people. That is the great difference with previous governments and the governments of the fourth transformation now,” Sheinbaum stated during the hospital groundbreaking ceremony.
The president revealed that she gave her World Cup inauguration ticket to a young woman, noting that tickets for the event cost up to 120,000 pesos. This gesture underscored her message about prioritizing accessibility and connection with ordinary citizens over elite gatherings.
Drawing on her academic background, Sheinbaum used a physics metaphor to explain the shift in governance. “I am a physicist. So the equation changed: before they governed for a few and we arrived, those of us who govern by the people and for the people of Mexico,” she said.
President Outlines Governing Philosophy
Throughout the event in Manzanillo, Sheinbaum articulated her administration’s principles and priorities. She emphasized that her government operates differently from previous administrations.
“We have principles for governing, it is different. We arrived to give continuity and advance with the fourth transformation, that is why we call it the second floor of the fourth transformation of the public life of Mexico,” the president explained.
Sheinbaum also connected her administration’s effectiveness to its ethical standards. “When there is no corruption, there is enough for more, when there is no corruption, results are delivered, honesty, love for the people and above all love for the homeland,” she stated.
In a pointed remark, the president suggested that those who do not support Mexico face consequences across multiple aspects of life. “It goes badly on the field, it goes badly in life and it goes badly in politics, the truth, for those who do not love Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.
IMSS Director Supports President’s Choice
Zoé Robledo, Director of IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute), attended the hospital groundbreaking ceremony and publicly praised Sheinbaum’s decision to be present in Colima rather than at the World Cup inauguration.
Robledo characterized the president as being at “field level” with the people rather than watching from a VIP box. His comments reinforced the administration’s messaging about prioritizing direct engagement with citizens and public infrastructure projects over ceremonial appearances at elite events.
The IMSS Regional Specialty Hospital in Manzanillo represents the type of public healthcare investment that the administration has positioned as central to its governing agenda. The groundbreaking ceremony marked the official launch of the construction project in Colima.
Colima Governor Thanks President
Governor Indira Vizcaíno of Colima was present at the ceremony and expressed gratitude to President Sheinbaum for supporting the state with various projects. The governor’s remarks highlighted the federal government’s engagement with state-level development initiatives.
The event in Manzanillo brought together federal and state officials to mark the beginning of the hospital construction project, demonstrating coordination between different levels of government on healthcare infrastructure.
What We Know So Far
President Claudia Sheinbaum did not attend the FIFA World Cup inauguration ceremony held at Estadio Ciudad de Mexico. Instead, she traveled to Manzanillo, Colima, to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new IMSS Regional Specialty Hospital.
The president gave her World Cup inauguration ticket to a young woman. Tickets for the World Cup opening ceremony cost up to 120,000 pesos.
IMSS Director Zoé Robledo and Colima Governor Indira Vizcaíno attended the hospital groundbreaking ceremony alongside the president. Both officials expressed support for Sheinbaum’s priorities and thanked her for her commitment to public projects.
Sheinbaum defended her decision by stating that her administration does not need to associate with elite circles and instead focuses on being close to the Mexican people.
What Happens Next
The IMSS Regional Specialty Hospital in Manzanillo will proceed through its construction phase following the groundbreaking ceremony. The project represents part of the federal government’s healthcare infrastructure initiatives in Colima.
President Sheinbaum’s administration will continue advancing what she has described as the “second floor of the fourth transformation” of Mexico’s public life, with an emphasis on public services and anti-corruption measures.
Important Details
The World Cup inauguration ceremony took place at Estadio Ciudad de Mexico, with tickets reaching prices of up to 120,000 pesos for the opening event.
President Sheinbaum has a background in physics, which she referenced when explaining her view of the change in Mexican governance.
The hospital groundbreaking in Manzanillo, Colima, was attended by key federal and state officials, including the IMSS Director and the state governor.
The president’s comments were made during her morning press conference on June 12, 2026, and at the groundbreaking ceremony in Colima.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did President Sheinbaum not attend the World Cup inauguration?
Sheinbaum stated that she does not need to “rub elbows at the top” and chose instead to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for an IMSS hospital in Manzanillo, Colima. She emphasized her commitment to being close to the people rather than attending VIP events.
What did Sheinbaum do with her World Cup ticket?
The president gave her World Cup inauguration ticket to a young woman. She noted that tickets for the event cost up to 120,000 pesos.
What hospital project did Sheinbaum attend instead?
President Sheinbaum participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the IMSS Regional Specialty Hospital in Manzanillo, Colima. IMSS Director Zoé Robledo and Colima Governor Indira Vizcaíno also attended the event.
How much did World Cup inauguration tickets cost?
According to President Sheinbaum, tickets for the FIFA World Cup inauguration ceremony at Estadio Ciudad de Mexico cost up to 120,000 pesos.
President Sheinbaum’s decision to attend the hospital groundbreaking rather than the World Cup inauguration reflects her stated commitment to prioritizing public infrastructure and direct engagement with citizens over ceremonial appearances at high-profile events. The IMSS hospital project in Manzanillo represents ongoing federal investment in healthcare infrastructure in Colima.
