The government has reversed plans to shorten the Mexican school year ahead of the 2026 football World Cup after strong criticism from parents, education experts and local authorities. The education secretary, Mario Delgado, had proposed ending classes more than a month early, citing both the football tournament and concerns about extreme heat. However, many argued the move would harm learning for millions of students who had already been affected by educational disruption in recent years. Two Mexican states immediately rejected the proposal, while a think tank warned that reducing teaching time would negatively affect more than 23 million pupils. Following public backlash, government officials met with parents and education leaders and decided to keep the original school calendar. President Claudia Sheinbaum said the decision should reflect public consensus and confirmed that schools will close and reopen according to the normal timetable.