Mexican president unexpectedly accepts Trump invite to World Cup final

MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is unexpectedly traveling to the World Cup final at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, she told journalists on Friday.

The leader of the co-host nation said it was a direct invitation from Trump. Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada - the other of the three co-hosts - will also be there, she said.

On June 11, Sheinbaum declined to attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup in her own country. She passed on her ticket for the Azteca Stadium to an indigenous woman who is a keen football fan.

Relations between Mexico and the U.S. are currently tense over trade and security issues.

Sheinbaum has so far met Trump in person only once. That was in December at the World Cup draw in Washington.

The schedule of her trip in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo was changed to allow Sheinbaum to attend the final between Argentina and Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City, Mexican media reported.

Spain's King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Crown Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía will be there on Sunday to cheer on their team.

Argentina's President Javier Milei, however, will not watch the final in the stadium out of superstition. Superstitious rituals, known in Argentina as "cábalas," are part of football culture for many fans. They often watch matches in the same place or in the same clothing.

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