Amid fears of a worsening security situation in Mexico following the killing of nemesis drug lord Rubén Oseguero Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, earlier this week, a high-ranking team from soccer’s world governing body, FIAF, will visit the country to assess the situation.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday that a FIFA team will review the country’s security and transport plans ahead of this year’s World Cup, which is set to start this June.
Full confidence in Mexico: Infantino
Earlier, FIFA President Gianni Infantino told Sheinbaum in a phone call on Thursday that he had “full confidence” in Mexico to host the World Cup.
Read also | How Mexico Turned Out and Killed Most Wanted Narco ‘El Mencho’ – Through His Girlfriend
Sheinbaum said Infantino assured her that Mexico would host the World Cup.
“He assured me that the World Cup will be held here,” she said. “We have agreed that the FIFA team will definitely come to review several issues. We have been working on this for a long time, but of course the issue of security is particularly important.”
2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, marking the first time the tournament has been hosted by three countries.
Mexico will host a total of 13 matches in three cities – Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Violence in Mexico
But the killing of El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) on February 22, 2026 during a military operation raised serious security concerns for fans who planned to travel to Mexico later this year.
After the killing of El Mencho, the CJNG gang went on a violent rampage across the country, particularly in cities such as Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, targeting both civilians and security personnel.
Read also | El Mencho killed: Who are the biggest drug lords who controlled the global drug trade?
Many tourists have also become involved in the violence, although there are no reports of the gang killing any foreigners.
Calls to move matches from Mexico
Viral videos and photos showing cartel members torching vehicles, banks and supermarkets in more than a dozen Mexican states have led many to call for matches scheduled in the country to be moved to other venues.
Read also | El Mencho net worth: How much did the main leader of the Mexican cartel make?
While the Mexican authorities acknowledged that the situation was unprecedented, they assured that things would soon be under control and that there was no risk to FIFA fans.
“I told him (Infantino) that Sunday was a special situation and that we’re back to normal with all the safety measures that have been in place for some time, so they can rest assured,” Sheinbaum said Friday.
FIFA’s influence on Mexico
Before Sunday’s operation, Mexico was expected to receive between 5 million and 5.5 million international visitors for the World Cup, with an economic impact of around $3 billion for the country.
Key things
- FIFA is proactively addressing security issues in Mexico ahead of the World Cup.
- The killing of El Mencho raised safety concerns among potential international visitors.
- Mexico is committed to providing fans with a safe environment during the tournament.
