World Cup
Mexico president wavers on plan to cut school year by 40 days for the World Cup
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday appeared to roll back an announcement by her education minister that school holidays will start more than a month sooner than scheduled this summer due to the heat and the World Cup, saying the proposal was not yet final amid outrage from parents’ associations.
“Many Mexicans love soccer, we’re looking forward to the World Cup, so this proposal was made to bring the holidays forward, but we also have to take into account the children’s school days,” Sheinbaum told journalists at her daily morning press conference, adding that “there isn’t a set timeline yet” for the proposed reduction in the academic calendar.
The announcement to cut the school year was made in a post on X, opens new tab on Thursday by Secretary of Education Mario Delgado, who said the National Council of Educational Authorities made the “modification” in response to a heat wave in the country as well as the hosting of the World Cup.
“It will be ensured that all provisions of the curriculum are met and that the academic progress of all students is maintained,” Delgado wrote, without detailing how that would be achieved.
Under the proposed schedule, the academic year would end on June 5 instead of July 15. Schools would start the new academic year on August 31, one day earlier than in 2025.
“Using the FIFA World Cup as an argument to shorten the school calendar is unacceptable. Our children’s education cannot be sacrificed for a sporting event that will take place in just three of the country’s 2,500 municipalities,” Mexico’s National Union of Parent Associations said in a statement, adding that high temperatures were nothing new.
Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara are hosting a total of 13 World Cup matches in June and July. Closing schools could ease traffic and congestion in those cities for the hundreds of thousands of tourists expected to descend on the country.
Mexico’s powerful teachers’ union last week also threatened to strike during the World Cup’s opening match, having long demanded higher pay and changes to the law governing teachers’ pensions.
According to official data, around 90% of students in Mexico attend public schools, while approximately 10% attend private institutions, which are not subject to the new calendar year announced by the education minister.
Mexico is currently experiencing a severe heat wave with temperatures in parts of the country hitting 45 degrees Celsius. But such temperatures are not unusual and typically begin to dissipate in June with the arrival of the rainy season.
-Reuters
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FIFA is preparing an unprecedented entertainment rollout for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with separate opening ceremonies planned for each of the first matches involving the three host nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to a report by The Athletic, the ceremonies will take place before the opening matches of the host countries during the tournament scheduled for June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Canadian music stars Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette and Alessia Cara are reportedly set to perform at Canada’s opening group game against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.
Later that day, the United States will face Paraguay at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, where pop icon Katy Perry is expected to headline the entertainment show.
The report added that rapper Future and DJ Sanjoy are also among the performers engaged for the tournament festivities.
Planning documents seen by The Athletic indicate that fans will be encouraged to arrive at venues 90 minutes before kick-off to witness the ceremonies.
Mexico’s pre-match show is expected to run for more than 16 minutes, while ceremonies in the United States and Canada are expected to last about 13 minutes each before the teams begin warm-ups.
FIFA is also planning a major opening ceremony and half-time show for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
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FIFA will incorporate celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a report by The Athletic.
The report revealed that special “America 250” tributes are planned ahead of the Round of 16 matches scheduled for July 4 in Houston and Philadelphia.
The commemorations are expected to align with ongoing initiatives championed by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of the country’s Semiquincentennial anniversary celebrations.
Trump’s administration has established the White House Task Force 250, which has encouraged sports organisations to align major events with the anniversary.
According to The Athletic, proposals linked to the World Cup include the placement of large “Freedom” trailer trucks decorated with American flags at official FIFA Fan Festivals across host cities.
In an earlier interview with the publication, Andrew Giuliani, director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 White House Task Force, described the tournament as “an incredible opportunity to show off America’s first 250 years.”
The report also highlighted the growing relationship between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Trump. Infantino attended Trump’s inauguration events and later joined meetings of the president’s “Board of Peace” initiative.
FIFA is expected to use the July 4 matches as a platform to blend football with celebrations of American history and patriotism during the expanded 48-team tournament.
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Nigeria’s Grammy-winning star Burna Boy continues to strengthen his connection with global football after joining Shakira on the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The song, titled Dai Dai, is part of FIFA’s broader entertainment programme for the tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to The Athletic, FIFA is also preparing an extensive World Cup music campaign featuring artists from across the globe.
The tournament’s official music album will include Illuminate, a collaboration between Jessie Reyez and Elyanna, alongside Por Ella by Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda.
FIFA has also lined up a series of live performances for opening ceremonies in Canada, the United States and Mexico, with artists such as Katy Perry, Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette expected to feature.
For Nigerian fans, Burna Boy’s involvement further reflects the growing global influence of Afrobeats and Nigeria’s expanding footprint in international football entertainment.
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