2/23/2026 | USA | sports | ✓ Verified - abcnews.com

Soccer matches postponed amid violence after army kills Mexican cartel

#Soccer postponements #Mexican cartel violence #El Mencho death #CJNG cartel #World Cup security #Mexican soccer federation #Tapalpa Jalisco #Cartel retaliation

📌 Key Takeaways

Four high-level soccer matches postponed due to cartel violence
Mexican army killed cartel leader 'El Mencho' triggering widespread retaliation
Guadalajara scheduled to host World Cup matches in June raising security concerns
CJNG cartel designated as foreign terrorist organization by Trump administration

📖 Full Retelling

Mexican soccer authorities postponed four high-level soccer matches on Sunday, February 22, 2026, following the killing of cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' by the Mexican army in Tapalpa, Jalisco, which triggered violent cartel retaliation across the country. The affected matches included two top-tier games—Queretaro vs. Juarez FC in the men's tournament and Chivas vs. America in the women's league—along with two second division matches that were called off. Notably, Mexico's national team still has a friendly match against Iceland scheduled for Wednesday at the Corregidora stadium in Queretaro, with the Mexican soccer federation yet to make any public moves to postpone it despite the ongoing security concerns. Violence erupted after 'El Mencho,' who led the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), was wounded in Tapalpa—a town about a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara—and died while being transported to Mexico City. Following his death, cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states, prompting authorities to prioritize public safety over sporting events.

🏷️ Themes

Sports Security, Organized Crime, Public Safety

Entity Intersection Graph

No entity connections available yet for this article.

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

The postponement of major soccer matches due to cartel violence highlights the severe impact of organized crime on daily life and major events in Mexico. This is particularly significant as Guadalajara, the epicenter of the unrest, is a host city for the upcoming World Cup, raising serious security concerns for the international tournament.

Context & Background

The Mexican army killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes (El Mencho), leader of the powerful Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG)
Following his death, cartel members retaliated by burning vehicles and blocking roads across nearly a dozen states
The violence occurred near Guadalajara, a city scheduled to host matches in the upcoming World Cup
CJNG is considered Mexico's most powerful cartel with an estimated 19,000 members

What Happens Next

Authorities will monitor the security situation to decide if the upcoming Mexican national team friendly against Iceland will proceed. Security preparations for the World Cup in Guadalajara will likely be intensified and reassessed in light of this violent outbreak.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which soccer matches were postponed?

Four matches were postponed: Queretaro vs Juarez FC (men's), Chivas vs America (women's), and two second-division games.

What is the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG)?

CJNG is considered the most powerful drug cartel in Mexico, with an estimated 19,000 members and operations in most of the country's states.

Is the upcoming World Cup in Guadalajara affected?

The tournament has not been postponed, but the violence raises security concerns as Guadalajara is scheduled to host four World Cup matches.

Original Source

              Soccer matches postponed amid violence after army kills Mexican cartel Violence linked to a major cartel leader’s death has forced Mexico to postpone four high-level soccer games By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ Associated Press February 22, 2026, 8:14 PM MEXICO CITY -- Four high-level soccer matches were postponed Sunday after the Mexican army killed the leader of a powerful drug cartel in a town close to the World Cup host city of Guadalajara. Two top-tier games — Queretaro vs. Juarez FC in the men's tournament and Chivas vs. America in the women’s league — were postponed and two in the second division were called off. Mexico’s national team has a friendly against Iceland scheduled for Wednesday at the Corregidora stadium in Queretaro. The Mexican soccer federation hasn't made any public moves to postpone it. Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” who led the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación , was wounded in Tapalpa, Jalisco about a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara and he died while being flown to Mexico City Following his death, cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states. Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara, is scheduled to host four games in the World Cup in June, including two involving South Korea. Co-host Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia will also play there. Popular Reads Nancy Guthrie live updates: More than 1 suspect not ruled out, sheriff's office says Feb 21, 5:31 PM Trump says he has signed order for new 15% tariff after Supreme Court ruling Feb 21, 4:34 PM Nancy Guthrie case: Person released as search for 'armed individual' continues Feb 10, 11:15 PM The CJNG cartel is considered the most powerful in Mexico with an estimated 19,000 members and operations spanning 21 of Mexico’s 32 states. It has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. The Mexican Open, an ATP tennis tournament, will begin Monday at the GNP Arena in Acapulco, Guerrero. Organizers issued a statement Sunday saying “th...
            

Read full article at source

Source

abcnews.com