Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on June 10 that the song "La Niña Futbolista," performed by Julieta Venegas, was not commissioned as an official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The clarification follows a public backlash that prompted the singer-songwriter to disable comments on her YouTube channel after the track debuted at a May 29 government event.
Why the song caused public controversy
The song debuted during a presidential conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, where the federal government awarded tickets to three young women for the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony. While the government intended the song to celebrate female participation in sports, the reception on social media was immediate and negative.
Users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) criticized the lyrics, with some listeners arguing the song failed to resonate with the reality of Mexican soccer. The intensity of the negative engagement led Venegas to disable the comments section on her YouTube channel for the video. Criticism eventually spilled over to unrelated content on the artist’s social media pages, according to reports from Billboard Español.
Official stance on the production
President Sheinbaum addressed the criticism during her morning press briefing, stating the song was strictly intended to honor the contest winners. "Obviously, it’s dedicated to girls who play soccer," Sheinbaum said. "And we played it that day because we were giving tickets to the girls and young women who won the contest."
The track itself is not a new composition. It is a cover of a 2003 song originally written by Ignacio Silva. The production was a collaborative project between the federal Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Women. Venegas recorded the version alongside the choir of the National Conservatory of Music.
The artist’s perspective
Julieta Venegas, who was recently honored with the Artistic Excellence Award at the Billboard Latin Women in Music gala, maintained that her intent was to promote inclusivity. In a statement provided to Billboard Español at the time of the release, Venegas explained that she approached the project with the goal of inspiring young girls to pursue soccer despite potential societal barriers.
"The whole time we were working on the song, I imagined a girl who dreams of playing soccer, and someone telling her she can’t do it," Venegas stated. "I made it with a lot of love. I hope it inspires them to play and have fun."
Context of the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. As the host nation prepares for the tournament, the Mexican government has utilized various cultural initiatives to promote the event. This incident highlights the challenges of aligning government-led cultural outreach with public sentiment in the digital age.
Key facts about the project
- Original Songwriter: Ignacio Silva (2003).
- Production Partners: Mexican Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Women.
- Performance: Julieta Venegas featuring the National Conservatory of Music choir.
- Event Context: A government contest awarding tickets to the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony.