Sandra Cuevas: The Former Mayor Who Became a World Cup Sensation

The 2026 World Cup is delivering plenty of action on the pitch, but one of the tournament's biggest viral moments has come from the stands. Sandra Cuevas, a former mayor from Mexico City, has captured the internet's attention—and she's handling it with grace, humor, and a healthy dose of Mexican pride.

Who Is Sandra Cuevas?

Before she became a World Cup social media phenomenon, Sandra Xantall Cuevas Nieves was a significant figure in Mexican politics . Born on May 25, 1986, in Azcapotzalco, Mexico City, she studied International Commerce at the Universidad del Valle de México and later earned a master's degree in Economics .

Cuevas served as the mayor of Cuauhtémoc, one of Mexico City's most vibrant and central boroughs, from October 2021 to March 2024 . She won the position as part of the Va por México coalition, defeating the Morena candidate in a closely contested race . Her tenure was marked by a bold, high-profile style—her inauguration featured a red carpet and fireworks, and she implemented a controversial "order and cleanliness" program .

Today, Cuevas serves as the coordinator for the Mexico Nuevo political movement in Mexico City, working toward registering it as an official political party . She has expressed interest in running for head of government of Mexico City in 2030 .

How She Became a World Cup Star

As Mexico has rolled through the group stage with wins over South Africa and South Korea, Cuevas has been celebrating right alongside her fellow fans in the streets and fan zones . The former mayor turned heads while wearing a low-cut white tank top—paired with a Mexico jersey tied around her waist—during a celebration at the iconic Angel of Independence monument .

The outfit and her confident presence prompted an avalanche of social media attention, with comparisons quickly flooding in to Mar Castro, the iconic model who became famous as "La Chiquitibum" during Mexico's 1986 World Cup .

Her Response: "I Can't Just Take Them Off"

Rather than shying away from the attention, Cuevas addressed it head-on with characteristic wit. In a now-viral statement, she responded to the comparisons and online commentary:

"The Chiquitibum... well, guys, what can I do, I can't just take them off. They had already nicknamed me that in 1986 and it amuses me, I like it" .

She added, "I don't take it as an attack, there will be those who think that way and take it in a derogatory way, but that's how we Mexicans are" .

Her response has been widely praised for its confidence and refusal to be shamed. The video of her celebrating quickly garnered over one million views on X (formerly Twitter) .

A Good Luck Charm for El Tri?

Cuevas appears to be embracing her role as a fan favorite. As one of the few nations to already secure a spot in the World Cup round of 32 after two straight wins , Mexico has plenty to celebrate—and Cuevas has been present for it all.

While some critics have questioned whether her outfit was appropriate for a former political figure, Cuevas seems unfazed . Her focus remains on the joy of the tournament and her love for her country .

What's Next for Cuevas?

Beyond the World Cup spotlight, Cuevas continues her political work. She remains a controversial but prominent figure in Mexican politics, with ambitions to return to elected office . Whether the viral attention will help or hinder those ambitions remains to be seen—but if her response is any indication, she knows how to handle the spotlight.

As Mexico continues its World Cup journey, all eyes will be on both the pitch and the stands. Sandra Cuevas has proven she can handle the attention with humor and class—and that's something fans on both sides of the border can appreciate.