The Mexican government has made a decision that will leave education experts reeling. The entire school year has been cancelled. The reason? The 2026 World Cup.

This isn't a drill. The Ministry of Education confirmed it this morning. Children will be out of classrooms for months. The official line is that the country needs to 'focus on the national project' of hosting the tournament.

But the whispers in Mexico City tell a different story. This is about optics. It's about the government wanting to show a united front, a nation entirely dedicated to football. Never mind the long-term damage to a generation's learning.

The opposition is furious. They smell blood. Backbenchers are already drafting motions of censure. The question is: will the president's own party hold the line? I'm hearing mutterings of discontent even from within the presidential palace.

Let's be clear about the numbers. Polling by Mitofsky shows 63% of Mexicans oppose the move. But the administration seems to believe that World Cup fervour will override any anger. It's a gamble of epic proportions.

And the international reaction? FIFA has stayed silent. They're probably delighted. A host nation that puts everything on hold for football is a dream for them. But for Mexico's children, it's a nightmare.

The real game here is political survival. The president is betting that a successful World Cup will be his legacy. But if the team flops or the logistics falter, this decision could be his downfall.

Watch this space. The opposition will try to force a parliamentary debate. And I'm told some cabinet members are privately appalled. This story is far from over.