Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social
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<p>U2’s stay in Mexico City took an unexpected turn this Thursday (May 14) when the iconic Irish rock stars appeared alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The band members were special guests at an event supporting the Street Child World Cup, held within the heart of the capital.</p>
<p>President Sheinbaum took the stage at the Mexican Social Security Institute’s Hidalgo Theater to welcome the young competitors involved in the global initiative, which champions social inclusion and children’s rights. Video footage captured by Mexico City’s tourism secretary, Alejandra Frausto, showed Bono and The Edge joining the president, visibly moved by the spirit of the event.</p>
<p>During the gathering, a poignant moment occurred when Bono approached the president, warmly addressing her as “My president” before the two shared an embrace, sparking enthusiastic applause from the crowd.</p>
<p>Later, President Sheinbaum shared highlights of the interaction on her social media platforms. The conversation was marked by mutual admiration; after exchanging formal greetings, The Edge expressed his appreciation, telling her, “I’m such a fan of yours.” Bono jokingly marveled at her workload, remarking, “My goodness—you’ve implemented universal healthcare, raised the minimum wage, and you’re here supporting the Street Child World Cup. I honestly don’t know how you find the time.”</p>
<p>The 2026 Street Child World Cup, which ran from May 6–14, brought together 30 teams from around the globe. In a statement posted to the band’s website, drummer Larry Mullen Jr. described the tournament as “a little NGO with a big kick for kids with all of the talent and none of the access,” adding that the band is honored to be among its supporters.</p>
<p>The legendary quartet—rounded out by bassist Adam Clayton—returned to Mexico after a nearly decade-long hiatus. Their visit included shooting a music video for their track “Street of Dreams,” which is slated for inclusion on their highly anticipated studio album coming later in 2026. Following their arrival, Mexico City’s head of government, Clara Brugada, extended a formal invitation for the band to play a historic concert at the Zócalo, the city’s massive central plaza.</p>
<p>Mexico remains deeply significant to U2, having served as the backdrop for some of their most celebrated performances, including the legendary 1997 *Popmart* tour. Their last appearance in the capital occurred in 2017, when they performed during a poignant stretch of their *Joshua Tree* anniversary tour, just weeks after a devastating earthquake rocked the region.</p>
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