Sandra Cuevas, the former mayor of Mexico City’s Cuauhtémoc borough, has become a social media sensation during the 2026 World Cup while traveling with Mexico’s national team. The 40-year-old has been appearing in the stands, on the streets and in fan zones, posting photos and videos of herself celebrating with supporters of El Tri.
Her posts drew attention not mainly for her backing of Mexico, but for her bold outfits and appearance. The images spread quickly online, and many users began comparing her to Mar Castro, the iconic Mexican model who became one of the world’s most famous football fans during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Cuevas responded with humor and made clear she was not offended by the comments about her figure. “Well, guys, what can I do? I can’t just take them off,” she said with a smile. “I’ve had that nickname before and it actually amuses me. I like it.” She added that she does not see the remarks as a personal attack, saying, “Some people will say it in a dismissive way, but that’s how we Mexicans are. I don’t take it as an insult.”
Alongside the criticism, Cuevas also received broad support online. One user wrote that it was like students discovering that teachers have lives outside school, while others told her to enjoy the World Cup. Cuevas is notable not only as an internet personality, but as a political figure: she served as borough chief of Cuauhtémoc from 2021 to 2024 for the Democratic Revolution Party, in cooperation with other center-right parties, and now serves as Mexico City coordinator for Mexico Nuevo, a movement seeking official party status.