Reports suggest U2’s two most recognisable figures joined Claudia Sheinbaum at an assembly welcoming young participants in the tournament. On one level, it was an unusual image: a president, two rock stars and a football event built around vulnerable children.
But visibility is the currency here. Street football projects rarely enjoy the glare that follows elite clubs, transfer sagas or major finals. A moment like this helps pull attention back to a different side of the sport - one rooted in access, safety and belonging.
The update says the tournament is centred on social inclusion and children’s rights, and that is what gives the story its weight. Football can open doors, but it can also mirror the inequalities around it. Talent is common. Opportunity is not.
That is why Mullen’s message stands out. “Our band are proud supporters,” he said, and the support feels well aimed. The Street Child World Cup is not asking to compete with the sport’s wealthiest stages; it is asking the football world to remember who still gets left behind.
Mexico City already carries huge football significance, and moments like this underline how the game’s culture runs beyond the professional calendar. In a city used to hosting major sporting occasions, the presence of well-known public figures can help smaller causes cut through the noise.
The next question is whether that spotlight lasts. If this week leaves a stronger legacy for community football and children’s rights, then the real story will not be who walked on stage - it will be who gets heard after the applause fades.