King Felipe VI meets Mexico's President before Spain's World Cup match

King Felipe VI of Spain met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace in the heart of Mexico City's Historic Center on Thursday in what is being hailed as a historic visit.

King Felipe VI's historic Mexico visit included a meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum before Spain's 2026 World Cup match against Uruguay.© Getty Images
Monica Tirado
JUNE 25, 2026 10:51 PM EDT

The Spanish monarch traveled to Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he will support Spain in its match against Uruguay on Friday, June 26. Before heading to Guadalajara for the game, King Felipe was officially welcomed by President Sheinbaum. The trip marks his first visit to Mexico since 2018, when he attended the inauguration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Shortly after 4:00 p.m. local time, King Felipe departed the Presidential Hangar at Mexico City's International Airport and traveled by motorcade to the National Palace in the city's historic downtown.

President Claudia Sheinbaum officially welcomes King Felipe VI as he arrives at the National Palace for a bilateral meeting.© AFP via Getty Images
President Claudia Sheinbaum officially welcomes King Felipe VI as he arrives at the National Palace for a bilateral meeting.

After meeting with President Sheinbaum, the King is scheduled to return to the airport before flying to Guadalajara, where he will attend Friday's World Cup match between Spain and Uruguay.

President Sheinbaum welcomed King Felipe at the Palace's ceremonial entrance, greeting him with a warm handshake. The Central Courtyard was adorned with the flags of Spain and Mexico to mark the occasion.

King Felipe VI and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum greet each other at the National Palace in Mexico City during the Spanish monarch's historic visit.© Anadolu via Getty Images
King Felipe VI and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum greet each other at the National Palace in Mexico City during the Spanish monarch's historic visit.

The ceremony opened with the national anthems of both countries. Mexico's anthem was played first as the host nation, followed by Spain's. After greeting one another and posing for photographs, the official ceremony concluded. The two leaders then headed inside for a private meeting.

The Spanish King and the Mexican President hold a private meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations.© Getty Images
The Spanish King and the Mexican President hold a private meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations.

Why This Visit Is Considered Historic

Ahead of the meeting, the Mexican government previewed the agenda in a post on its official social media accounts: "They will discuss the bilateral relationship and the importance of Mexico's Indigenous peoples throughout history."

King Felipe's first visit to Mexico in seven years comes amid lingering diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

King Felipe VI's visit to Mexico marks a new chapter in diplomatic relations between Spain and Mexico after years of tensions.© Getty Images
King Felipe VI's visit to Mexico marks a new chapter in diplomatic relations between Spain and Mexico after years of tensions.

In 2019, then President Andrés Manuel López Obrador sent a letter to King Felipe VI requesting that the Spanish Crown and the Spanish government apologize for the abuses committed against Indigenous peoples during the Spanish conquest. Rather than easing tensions, the dispute intensified. In 2022, López Obrador announced a "pause" in diplomatic relations between Spain and Mexico.

King Felipe VI visits Mexico as part of his trip to support Spain during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.© Getty Images
King Felipe VI visits Mexico as part of his trip to support Spain during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On March 16, King Felipe toured the exhibition Indigenous Women in Mexico at Spain's National Archaeological Museum. During the visit, he told Mexico's ambassador to Spain, Quirino Ordaz Coppel, that there had been "a great deal of abuse" during the conquest.

King Felipe VI returns to Mexico for the first time in seven years to meet President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace.© Anadolu via Getty Images
King Felipe VI returns to Mexico for the first time in seven years to meet President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace.

The King said that while the Catholic Monarchs, particularly Queen Isabella, sought to protect Indigenous peoples through their directives and the Laws of the Indies, "the reality was that those intentions were not carried out as envisioned, and there was a great deal of abuse."

This latest meeting reflects a more conciliatory tone, with both governments seeking to strengthen ties and improve relations between Spain and Mexico.

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