Palacio Nacional, the official residence of the President of Mexico, is known for its rich gastronomic tradition. Its tables have seen countless Mexican dishes, especially during official events under the governments of Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Claudia Sheinbaum, both fond of the country's cuisine. «These dishes are easy to find year-round in popular markets», describes the 'Encyclopedic Dictionary of Mexican Gastronomy'. In other meetings, the Palacio Nacional menus also stand out for their national flavors. «There are always things to improve, obviously». The organizers also gave guests a taste of the menu at the Banorte Stadium for the World Cup: cochinita pibil tacos (150 pesos), al-pastor (230 pesos), esquites (110 pesos), tostada with esquites (140 pesos), burritos (230 pesos), and micheladas (270 pesos). The organization of the 2026 World Cup represents the return of the World Cup to Mexico, which was previously the host in 1970 and 1986, tournaments won by Brazil and Argentina respectively. For example, the president has invited ponche, tamales, and Rosca de Reyes to reporters for her morning press conference. Additionally, at a meal to discuss the presidential transition, López Obrador and Sheinbaum enjoyed tomato soup and fish. In other times, the former Tabasco president was known for offering tamales with chipilín to businessmen; water with matalí and fish in squash blossom sauce to Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau; or he bid farewell to his six-year term with a barbacoa feast at Palacio Nacional. Gianni Infantino's visit to Mexico Infantino has been in Mexico for several days, where he has visited the three venues that will host matches during the World Cup: the Banorte Stadium in Mexico City, the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, and the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara. The leader was present on Saturday at the friendly match between Mexico and Portugal, held at the Banorte Stadium as part of the activities to reopen the venue after its remodeling. This time, it was Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, who got to enjoy that privilege. President Claudia Sheinbaum held a breakfast this Monday with Gianni Infantino where they discussed the preparations for the 2026 World Cup and the friendly match between Mexico and Portugal played on Saturday at the renovated Azteca Stadium — now called Banorte Stadium, which will be known as Estadio Ciudad de México during the tournament. «(At the meeting with Infantino) we are going to talk about how he saw the Saturday match and everything we are working towards for the World Cup», Sheinbaum advanced in her March 30 morning press conference. What did Claudia Sheinbaum and Gianni Infantino have for breakfast? This afternoon, the president posted on her social media a video with her 'special guest': 'We are evaluating everything for the next World Cup, everything is going to be wonderful'. 'I am very happy to be here with the president, we have breakfast fantastically, very well', added Infantino. The head of state detailed that the menu was squash blossom omelet, which the FIFA executive described as 'beautiful, beautiful, delicious'. The squash blossom is an ingredient widely used in Mexican cuisine, which comes from the squash plant and is eaten raw or stewed, in quesadillas, soups, capeadas, crepes, creams, and more. 'Apparently, the consumption of these flowers dates back to the pre-Hispanic era, when they were eaten chopped in tortillas and included in soups and other stews'. President Sheinbaum also noted that the match against Portugal was a good test for the operational mobility group that will work during the World Cup. That encounter ended in a 0-0 draw and served as a trial run for the security and mobility operation that will be implemented during the World Cup. President Sheinbaum pointed out in this Monday's press conference that the match served as a rehearsal for the tournament's inauguration: 'Overall, it was a good exercise for the inauguration of the World Cup'. She also acknowledged that there are still aspects that need to be reviewed, particularly in terms of mobility and logistics around the stadium: 'The entire security protocol for the World Cup is well prepared. It had a good start with the Saturday match. This year it will surely bring us many World Cup gastronomic adventures'.
