Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico, responded to the recent threat from the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) to boycott the 2026 World Cup due to unresolved issues facing teachers. In her statement, she criticized the protests and blockades by teachers while highlighting ongoing discussions with various government departments. She emphasized that while there are platforms for dialogue, certain demands, including a 100% increase in base salaries for teachers, cannot be met due to budget limitations.

Sheinbaum reiterated the importance of maintaining open communication channels, stating that there are existing dialogues between the teachers' groups and government representatives, including the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Education. She acknowledged that in the past, teachers had fewer avenues for discussion, indicating progress in engagement with the government. However, she underscored the reality that not all demands can be met given current public budget constraints, insisting that support for teachers is still a priority within those limits.

The president's comments come less than three months before the start of the World Cup in Mexico City, raising concerns about potential disruptions from the anticipated protests. As the government seeks to uphold its commitment to the global sporting event, Sheinbaum's remarks indicate an effort to balance public service commitments to educators while preparing for a major international event. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in the education sector in Mexico and the broader implications for public sector funding and governance.