Mexico’s Sheinbaum signals possible rethink of plan to cut school year for World Cup, heatwave

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said a proposal to shorten the 2025-26 school year by 40 days has not been finalized, asourceser backlash from parents’ groups over plans that were cited as linked to a heatwave and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The idea was first announced by Education Secretary Mario Delgado, who said on X that education authorities planned to adjust the calendar in response to high temperatures and the World Cup. Under the proposed schedule, the academic year would end on June 5 instead of July 15, with schools starting the next year on August 31.

Parents’ associations criticized the proposal, arguing that children’s education should not be reduced for a sporting event and noting that extreme heat is not new in Mexico and osourcesen eases with the rainy season in June. Mexico’s National Union of Parent Associations said World Cup matches would be held in only three of the country’s 2,500 municipalities.

Speaking at her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said that while many Mexicans are looking forward to the tournament, the impact on students must be weighed, adding that there is no set timeline yet for any reduction in the academic calendar.

Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara are set to host 13 matches in June and July as Mexico co-hosts the World Cup with the United States and Canada. The initial plan was framed as a way to ease traffic and congestion in the host cities, which are expected to receive large numbers of tourists.

Mexico is experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures in parts of the country reaching 45 degrees Celsius, according to the sources report.