Spain's king welcomes Mexico's World Cup invite after 'abuse' comments

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum invited King Felipe VI of Spain to the FIFA World Cup in Mexico, the US, and Canada, signaling a potential improvement in relations. The invitation, extended in February, followed King Felipe's acknowledgement of "abuse" during the Spanish conquest of Mexico, a sensitive topic that previously strained relations. Former President López Obrador had demanded an apology from Spain for human rights violations during the conquest, leading to Sheinbaum's decision not to invite Felipe to her inauguration. Sheinbaum welcomed the King's acknowledgement as a "gesture of reconciliation," emphasizing the historical ties between the two nations. The Spanish palace welcomed the invitation, but it is not confirmed if King Felipe will attend the tournament.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has invited Spain's King Felipe VI to the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, indicating a potential improvement in diplomatic relations. Tensions arose in 2019 when Mexico requested an apology from the Spanish crown for abuses during the colonization of the Americas. This request was a factor in the King's exclusion from Sheinbaum's inauguration in October 2024. The invitation follows King Felipe VI's recent acknowledgement of "a lot of abuse" during the conquest, made during a visit to an exhibition of Indigenous Mexican art in Madrid. His comments are viewed as a step towards reconciliation between the two nations.

King Felipe of Spain acknowledged "abuse" during the Spanish conquest of Mexico, potentially improving strained relations between the two countries. Speaking at an exhibition in Madrid, he stated that aspects of the conquest are not something to be proud of when viewed through modern values. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum welcomed the remarks as a gesture of reconciliation, acknowledging the "excesses" and "exterminations" that occurred during the Spanish arrival. The comments come after years of diplomatic friction, including a formal request for apology from Mexico in 2019 for human rights violations during the conquest and colonization, and Sheinbaum's decision not to invite King Felipe to her inauguration. The acknowledgement reopens debate over the legacy of Spanish colonization in the Americas.

Spain's King Felipe acknowledged that the Spanish conquest of the Americas involved "much abuse" and "ethical controversies." He made the remarks during a museum visit in Madrid while speaking with Mexico's ambassador to Spain. The King stated that while these historical events cannot make Spaniards feel proud with current values, they should be understood within their historical context. His comments follow years of diplomatic tension between Spain and Mexico, stemming from Mexico's demand for an apology from Spain for the conquest of Mexico between 1519 and 1521. Colonial Spain's vast empire, which included much of Central and South America, existed between the 16th and 18th centuries.