FIFA’s Infantino confident Mexico can co-host World Cup despite cartel violence : NPR

Akron Stadium, venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Marco Ugarte/AP

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Marco Ugarte/AP

MEXICO CITY — Violence that erupted in Mexico after the death of a powerful drug lord has many wondering whether the country will be able to co-host the World Cup in just over three months.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino thinks so.

“Of course we are following the situation in Mexico these days, but I want to say from the outset that we have total confidence in Mexico, in its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will go as well as possible,” Infantino said Tuesday evening at a press conference in Colombia.

“Mexico is a big country, like every country in the world, things happen; we don’t live on the moon or another planet,” Infantino added. “That is why we have governments, police officers and authorities who will ensure order and security.”

The Mexican army killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel on Sunday, sparking several days of violence. Cartel members have burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states and authorities report that at least 70 people have died.

Four top-level local league soccer matches were postponed last Sunday, including one in the central city of Queretaro, where Mexico beat Iceland 4-0 on Wednesday night in a friendly.

Before the match, a minute’s silence was observed at the Corregidora stadium in honor of the soldiers who died during the operation to capture Oseguera.

Thirteen World Cup matches are scheduled for Mexico, including the opening match in Mexico City on June 11 between the co-host country and South Africa. Guadalajara, hub of the Jalisco cartel, is expected to host four.

Colombia is scheduled to play one match in Mexico and one in Guadalajara.

“Our first two matches will be in Mexico, but we know they will overcome this and move forward,” said Ramón Jesurún, president of the Colombian Football Federation. “I have absolute and total confidence in my geopolitical thinking that this is a problem that Mexico will overcome, and will overcome very quickly.”

Other countries have expressed more concerns. The Portuguese football federation said on Tuesday it was closely monitoring developments ahead of the planned friendly against Mexico in March. Jamaica is set to face New Caledonia in Guadalajara on March 26 in the semi-final of the intercontinental playoffs, with the winner facing Congo for a place at the World Cup.

“The matches are at the end of March, so we still have a month to see what happens; but it makes me very nervous, to be honest,” said Michael Ricketts, president of the Jamaica Football Federation. “We will be listening to CONCACAF and FIFA to give us instructions as to whether they play the matches or immediately look for other options.”

Another Mexican city, Monterrey, will host a playoff where Bolivia will face Suriname and the winner will face Iraq for a place in the tournament.

On Monday, Sheinbaum said there were “every guarantee” that the World Cup matches in Guadalajara would be played as planned and added that there was “no risk.”

“We are in regular contact with the presidency and the Mexican authorities and we are monitoring the situation,” Infantino said. “The World Cup is going to be an incredible celebration.”