Mexico’s president has announced that 100,000 security personnel will be deployed during the upcoming soccer tournament.
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Published March 6, 2026
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans to deploy up to 100,000 Mexican security forces during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Sheinbaum made the announcement Friday during a visit to the outskirts of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state.
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The region had been hit by a wave of violence after Mexico launched a deadly military operation on February 22 against cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, who was killed in a gunfight.
Sheinbaum used his remarks to reassure the public that Jalisco state and all of Mexico are safe, especially amid heightened security concerns ahead of the World Cup.
“We are here to tell the people of Jalisco, all the people of Jalisco, that we are united and that we are working for the peace, security and well-being of the people of this beautiful state,” he said, along with members of the Security Cabinet.
Mexico will host World Cup matches in three cities: Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey. A total of 13 matches will be played between the three venues.
But recent outbreaks of violence have raised questions about Mexico’s security. Officials are trying to assure FIFA authorities and potential travelers that the tournament will be safe.
The World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11th and will also be co-hosted by the United States and Canada. The first leg will begin in Mexico City, and the second leg will take place on the same day in Guadalajara.
General Roman Villalbazo Barrios, head of Mexico’s World Cup Coordination Center, said the country’s security plan includes 20,000 military personnel, including the National Guard, and 55,000 police officers, supplemented by members of private security companies.
“This brings the total number of personnel to just over 99,000,” Barrios said, noting that the government is also coordinating with co-host countries regarding security.
“For Mexico,[the World Cup]comes with two challenges: to present before the international community a reliable and safe country, and to be capable of confronting any threats that undermine national security,” Barrios added.
El Mencho’s death last month comes as Mexico faces pressure from the United States to aggressively confront cartels within its borders.
El Mencho was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and his killing sparked retaliatory attacks across Mexico.
Still, critics question the increasing use of the Mexican military in law enforcement operations.
During the tenures of Mr. Sheinbaum and his predecessor, Andres Manuel López Obrador, Mexico’s military has played a major role in governance and security, despite concerns from rights groups about corruption and human rights abuses.
