Mexico: Schools to decide on World Cup 2026 opening ceremony viewing

Schools across Mexico will have flexibility in how they handle the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup on June 11. The Secretary of Public Education, Natividad Castrejón Valdez, announced that school officials, teachers, and parents can coordinate to decide whether to follow the ceremony at school or allow students to watch from home. This measure acknowledges the diverse contexts within school communities and aims to strengthen communication between schools and families. Castrejón Valdez expressed confidence in the leadership of school directors and teachers to make decisions that prioritize student well-being and integral development. This approach is not a generalized suspension of classes but a flexible disposition. In Tamaulipas, the state's Education Secretary, Miguel Ángel Valdez, confirmed that classes will not be suspended. However, schools are permitted to set up screens for students to watch the World Cup inauguration, which begins at 11 a.m. local time. Valdez suggested that students might watch the subsequent match, scheduled for 1 p.m., at home, but viewing at school facilities is also an option. He emphasized that it is a normal school day with a special permission to view the event.