FIFA’s Infantino plays down World Cup concerns despite violence in Mexico
#FIFA World Cup 2026 #Mexico security #Infantino #El Mencho #Drug cartel violence #Football safety #Guadalajara #World Cup hosts
📌 Key Takeaways
- FIFA President Infantino downplayed security concerns despite recent cartel violence
- At least 74 people killed during clashes following the killing of drug lord 'El Mencho'
- Portuguese Football Federation expressed doubt about playing a friendly match in Mexico
- Mexican officials insisted there was no risk to World Cup fans and venues
📖 Full Retelling
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed reassurance about Mexico's hosting of the 2026 World Cup on February 25, 2026, despite widespread violence that erupted following the killing of drug cartel leader Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera, with at least 74 people killed during clashes between security forces and cartel members across Mexico, particularly in the host city of Guadalajara. The violence, which spread to 20 of Mexico's 32 states, saw cartel members block roads, torch vehicles, and attack businesses in response to the government's operation that resulted in the death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader. Residents and tourists in affected areas like Puerto Vallarta described scenes resembling a war zone as they sought shelter from the unrest. While Infantino remained optimistic, describing the situation as 'going to be spectacular' during an event in Colombia, the Portuguese Football Federation took a more cautious approach, expressing doubt about whether their team would proceed with a friendly match scheduled for March 29 in Mexico City. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum sought to reassure the international community, declaring there was 'no risk' to World Cup fans and asserting that the situation was 'gradually returning to normal,' with Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus firmly ruling out any possibility of Guadalajara being dropped as a host city.
🏷️ Themes
Security concerns, International sporting events, Drug cartel violence, Tournament preparations
📚 Related People & Topics
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes
Mexican drug lord (born 1966)
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes (Latin American Spanish: [neˈmesio oseˈɣeɾa seɾˈβantes]; 17 July 1966 – 22 February 2026), commonly referred to by his alias El Mencho ([el ˈmentʃo]), was a Mexican drug lord and top leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), an organized crime group based i...
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Original Source
Sport | World Cup 2026 FIFA’s Infantino plays down World Cup concerns despite violence in Mexico Violence has broken out across Mexico, raising concerns only four months before its co-hosting of FIFA World Cup 2026. Listen to this article | 3 mins By Kevin Hand Published On 25 Feb 2026 25 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media Share Save FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he was “very reassured” about Mexico’s hosting of football’s 2026 World Cup, in his first comments on the violence triggered by the killing of a drug cartel leader. Mexico is one of the three host countries for the June 11-July 19 World Cup , along with the United States and Canada. Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4 Football matches postponed in Mexico after drug kingpin El Mencho killed list 2 of 4 Africa must boycott the 2026 World Cup list 3 of 4 German football federation rules out World Cup boycott to oppose Trump list 4 of 4 German star latest to take aim at Trump ahead of FIFA World Cup in US end of list The country as a whole, but particularly one of the tournament’s host cities, Guadalajara, was shaken by the violence that followed the killing of the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel . “Very reassured, everything’s good. It’s going to be spectacular,” Infantino said on Tuesday in the Colombian city of Barranquilla, two days after cartel members went on a rampage – including in Guadalajara – over the army’s killing of their leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera. At least 74 people were killed during the operation to capture him at a ranch near Guadalajara and subsequent clashes between the security forces and suspected cartel members. Only one was a civilian, according to the government, but residents and tourists alike were left scurrying for cover as cartel gunmen blocked roads in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states and torched vehicles and businesses. “It feels like we’re in a war zone,” Javier Perez, a 41-year-old engineer, told the AFP news agency on Tuesday...
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