Concerns are growing as violence erupts across Mexico, just four months away from co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has commented for the first time on the violence sparked by the killing of a drug cartel leader, saying he is “very relieved” that Mexico will host the 2026 soccer World Cup.
Mexico is one of three host countries for the World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19, along with the United States and Canada.
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The entire country, especially Guadalajara, one of the host cities, was shaken by the violence that followed the killing of the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
“I feel very relieved. Everything is fine. It’s going to be great,” Infantino said in the Colombian city of Barranquilla on Tuesday, two days after cartel members rioted in Guadalajara and elsewhere over the military’s killing of leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera.
At least 74 people were killed in the operation to capture him at a ranch near Guadalajara and subsequent clashes between security forces and suspected cartel members.
Only one civilian was killed, the government said, but residents and tourists alike fled as cartel gunmen blocked roads and torched vehicles and businesses in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states.
Javier Pérez, a 41-year-old engineer, spoke to AFP news agency on Tuesday in a grocery store parking lot filled with burnt out cars in Puerto Vallarta, a tourist town in Jalisco state.
FIFA declined to comment on Monday after footage of anarchy and violence was broadcast around the world less than four months before the start of the World Cup.
Infantino spoke at a Colombian Football Federation event on Tuesday. However, his optimism was not reflected in the Portuguese Football Federation, which cast doubt on whether the Portuguese team would play a friendly in Mexico City on March 29.
The federation said it was “closely monitoring the delicate situation currently unfolding in Mexico.”
He added that the safety of players, coaches and supporters is a top priority and safety considerations will be a determining factor.
Mexico national team coach Javier Aguirre was even more optimistic, declaring that “everything is going according to plan.”
Earlier, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured World Cup fans there was “no risk” and said the situation was “gradually returning to normal.”
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, will host four group stage matches.
Matches will also be held in Mexico City and the northeastern city of Monterrey. Both cities have been spared the recent unrest.
In addition to the four matches, including the most anticipated first round match between Uruguay and Spain, Guadalajara will co-host with Monterrey a play-off tournament at the end of March to determine the final two teams to qualify for the World Cup.
Jalisco governor Pablo Lemus ruled out Guadalajara being excluded from the competition due to safety concerns, saying there was “no risk” of changing the squad.
All eyes will be on the central state of Querétaro, where a friendly match between Mexico and Iceland will be held on Wednesday, but on Sunday, a first-division game was suspended in Queretaro due to violence.
