...
By Jordan King
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Cartel violence in and around Guadalajara after the killing of Jalisco New Generation cartel leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes has intensified security concerns for Mexico’s role in hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Guadalajara is one of three Mexican host cities for the tournament, and the wave of retaliatory blockades, arson attacks and clashes following the Mexican military operation has underscored the risks to fans, teams and infrastructure, prompting shelter-in-place advisories and flight cancellations.
Multiple people have spoken out about their worries online, including football commentator Younes H-Hamou, who said: "I say we move the World Cup away from that entire continent."
Read More on News
Why It Matters
The collision of organized crime and football has precedent, including the 1994 killing of Colombia defender Andrés Escobar in Medellín days after an own goal at the World Cup.
Escobar’s death, which drew international outrage and memorials, remains a cautionary episode about the vulnerability of players and fans in environments where criminal networks wield significant influence over local life and events.
What To Know
Football commentator Younes H-Hamou called for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a post on X, saying: "13 matches of the World Cup will be played in Mexico. The Mexican army just killed El Mencho, a cartel leader and now the cartel are on a rampage across Mexico with their own paramilitary troopers."
"This is nuts," he added. "I say we move the World Cup away from that entire continent. First the weather is bad enough on that east coast. Now Trump is on a madness. Mexico has exploded. Canada can't do it all alone. Get it moved lol."
U.S. entrepreneur Chris Bakke made a joke about how the "guy who picked Guadalajara as a World Cup venue" would look and feel "at the FIFA board meeting tomorrow."
A conservative account called End Wokeness posted footage of smoke filling the sky in the country with the caption: "Host country for FIFA World Cup 2026."
Four professional soccer matches set to take place in Mexico were postponed on Sunday, according to the New York Post. Mexico’s football federation postponed Liga MX and women’s matches—including the Chivas—América rivalry game.
But organizers of the Mexican Open in Acapulco said the tennis tournament would continue on Monday as planned.
Mexico’s Ministry of Defense said on the weekend that "El Mencho" was wounded during a Sunday’s Tapalpa operation to arrest him, and died en route to Mexico City, with four CJNG members killed and three army personnel injured.
The U.S. State Department’s Consular Affairs urged Americans to shelter in place in Jalisco—including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara—as well as parts of Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon due to road blockages and criminal activity.
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, said all state governments were in "absolute coordination" and that activities were proceeding "with complete normality" in most of the country.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. State Department Consular Affairs said in a post on X: "Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the following locations should shelter in place until further notice: Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (including Reynosa and other municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State."
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum said: "There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states; we must remain informed and calm…In the vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality."
What Happens Next
Authorities will continue to dismantle remaining blockades, restore road and air links, and adjust transport and match schedules as conditions stabilize in Jalisco and neighboring states.
Analysts and officials expect CJNG succession dynamics to shape the security outlook in western Mexico, which could influence risk levels around key airports, stadiums and team facilities in the coming weeks.
...
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines