Amid fears of a worsening safety scenario in Mexico following the killing of drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, often called “El Mencho” earlier this week, a high-level group of soccer’s world governing physique, FIAF will go to the nation to take inventory of the scenario.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned on Friday that the FIFA group will assessment safety and transport plans within the nation, forward of this 12 months’s World Cup, scheduled to start out in June this 12 months.
Full confidence in Mexico: Infantino
Earlier, FIFA president Gianni Infantino informed Sheinbaum in a telephone name on Thursday that he has “full confidence” in Mexico as a World Cup host.
Sheinbaum mentioned Infantino assured her that Mexico would host the World Cup.
“He assured me that the World Cup could be held in our nation,” she mentioned. “We agreed {that a} FIFA group would undoubtedly come to assessment a number of points. We have been engaged on this for a very long time, however the problem of safety is especially essential, in fact.”
2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup might be collectively hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, marking the primary time the event is hosted by three nations.
Mexico is about to host a complete of 13 matches throughout three cities – Mexico Metropolis, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
Violence throughout Mexico
However the killing of El Mencho, the chief of the Jalisco New Era Cartel (CJNG) on February 22, 2026, throughout a army operation, has raised critical safety considerations for followers who have been planning to journey to Mexico later this 12 months.
Following the killing of El Mencho, the CJNG gang went on a violent rampage throughout the nation, significantly in cities like Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, concentrating on each civilians and safety personnel.
Many vacationers have been additionally caught up within the violence, although there aren’t any stories of any foreigners being killed by the gang.
Calls to maneuver matches out of Mexico
Viral movies and pictures displaying cartel members torching autos, banks, and supermarkets throughout greater than a dozen Mexican states had resulted in lots of calling for the shifting of the matches scheduled within the nation to different venues.
Whereas acknowledging that the scenario was unprecedented, the Mexican authorities had assured that issues could be introduced beneath management quickly and that there was no danger to FIFA followers.
“I informed him [Infantino] that Sunday was a particular scenario and that we’ve returned to regular, with all the security measures which have been in place for a while now, to allow them to relaxation assured,” Sheinbaum mentioned on Friday.
FIFA’s impression on Mexico
Earlier than Sunday’s operation, Mexico was projected to obtain between 5 million and 5.5 million worldwide guests for the FIFA World Cup, producing an financial impression of roughly $3 billion for the nation.
Key Takeaways
- FIFA is proactively addressing safety considerations in Mexico forward of the World Cup.
- The killing of El Mencho has heightened fears for security amongst potential worldwide guests.
- Mexico is dedicated to making sure a safe surroundings for followers throughout the event.
