Almeyda: the Mexican fans, an asset of the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup final will not only define the champion. He has also put the spotlight on Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA who heads the organizing body of the most important soccer tournament.

Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, known as Gianni Infantino, was born on March 23, 1970 in Switzerland, the son of Italian parents. He grew up in Brig and was inclined towards sports management from a young age. At the age of 18 he presided over the local club, then studied Law and worked at the International Center for Sports Studies (CIES) before arriving at UEFA.

Career

In August 2000 he joined UEFA in legal matters. In 2004 he was director of Legal Affairs and Licensing, and in 2007 deputy general secretary. By 2009 he was already secretary general, a position from which he promoted Financial Fair Play, the expansion of Euro 2016 to 24 teams and the creation of the League of Nations.

In October 2015 he announced his candidacy for FIFA. On February 26, 2016, he was elected president in Zurich, with 115 votes in the second round, beating Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa. He took office after an institutional crisis due to previous controversies.

World Cups under his management

Infantino has presided over the 2018 Russia and Qatar 2022 World Cups, both surrounded by debates about their choice as venues. He also promoted the expansion of the 2026 World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, a format that will debut in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

He is fluent in seven languages: Italian, French, German, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. He is married to a woman of Lebanese origin and has four children.

President Claudia Sheinbaum arrived at MetLife Stadium this Sunday afternoon to represent Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Images spread on social networks show the president in a box at the New York stadium, accompanied by the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, and the First Lady of the United States, Melanie Trump. Also at his side was President Donald Trump, who last Friday invited Sheinbaum to the meeting between Argentina and Spain. Also in the box was Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA.

Arrival in New York

Sheinbaum arrived in the city last night, where she was received by Mexican migrants and supporters. This morning she left the Kimpton Asbel Hotel, located at 70 Park Avenue, Manhattan, accompanied by Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco. At noon, American media reported their arrival at the stadium to watch the last game of the World Cup.

Leaders meeting

So far there has been no official information about a private trilateral meeting with their counterparts or US authorities.

The World Cup final at the New York/New Jersey stadium had a star-studded closing ceremony. Madonna opened the show with her hit Music (2000), accompanied by former Brazilian soccer players Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. He opened with a pre-recorded segment at a skating rink and then entered the stadium in a dune buggy, singing: “Music brings people together.”

Participants of the show

Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel led an orchestra performing Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, while the Muppets moved to the rhythm. BTS took to the field dressed in red and black to sing Dynamite. To promote the series Ted Lasso, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt cheered on Justin Bieber, who performed Everything Hallelujah. Shakira and Burna Boy sang their anthem Dai Dai, which played before each kickoff in the tournament. The closing was with a choir of Staten Island elementary students.

Performances prior to the final

At the previous ceremony, Robbie Williams performed Desire in a blue sports ensemble with rhinestones, accompanied by Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini. Streamer IShowSpeed ​​opened with Champions over an image of the Empire State Building. Post Malone premiered Chrome Heartbreaker and then sang Sunflower with Swae Lee on a hexagonal stage in the center of the field. Tom Cruise, in a polo and jeans, gave a speech:

“Today there are only two teams left: Spain! … and Argentina! Let’s celebrate a tournament that united the world.”

National anthems live

Jennifer Hudson performed a cappella The Star-Spangled Banner in front of a row of flags, wearing a white suit trimmed in red, white and blue. Spanish Brass performed the Spanish royal march and María Becerra, wearing a dress that evoked the Argentine flag, sang the Argentine national anthem.