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By Jordan King
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said he is "not worried" about security at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico after days of violence following the killing of the cartel boss Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes.
Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, was one of the world's most wanted drug lords and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). He was killed by Mexican special forces in an operation in Tapalpa on Sunday, which has sparked widespread unrest and cartel retaliation in multiple Mexican states.
The violence - which has seen American tourists told to shelter in place - has raised concerns over whether soccer fans will be safe during the World Cup tournament this year, when numerous games are scheduled to take place in Mexico.
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Why It Matters
Violence has been reported just a few miles from Estadio Akron, in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, which is scheduled to host a World Cup qualifying playoff tournament in late March.
Mexico is also set to host four World Cup matches in June and July.
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What To Know
Infantino told the Spanish media outlet AS: "We have full confidence that everything will go very well: the playoff and then the World Cup. It will be a celebration."
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also said there was "no risk" to soccer fans planning to travel to Mexico, saying on Tuesday that "all the guarantees" were in place for the tournament to go ahead safely.
Pablo Lemus, the governor of the Mexican state of Jalisco, said: "There is absolutely no intention on FIFA's part to remove any venues from Mexico. The three venues remain completely firm."
It comes after multiple people expressed concerns about the games set to be hosted in Mexico, with some calling for them to be moved.
Mexico's Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that Oseguera Cervantes was wounded during a Sunday's operation and died en route to Mexico City, while four other CJNG members were killed and three army personnel injured.
The U.S. State Department 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.
Sheinbaum 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
Sheinbaum said on Tuesday: "There is no risk to visitors… All the guarantees are in place."
A FIFA spokesperson said: "We will continue to follow the actions and directions from the different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy."
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