FIFA President Gianni Infantino publicly reaffirmed his confidence in Mexico’s ability to host matches during the 2026 World Cup, despite a surge in violence following the killing of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco Novel Generation Cartel (CJNG). The statement, made Tuesday during a visit to Barranquilla, Colombia, came after at least 74 people were killed in clashes between security forces and suspected cartel members across Mexico, including in Guadalajara, a designated host city for the tournament.
“Incredibly reassured, everything’s good. It’s going to be spectacular,” Infantino told news agency AFP, according to reports. The reassurance followed a weekend of widespread disruption, with cartel members blocking roads in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states and setting vehicles and businesses ablaze in retaliation for the military operation that resulted in El Mencho’s death. Reports from Guadalajara included scenes of travelers running for cover at the airport following reports of gunfire near a highway.
The violence prompted the postponement of four league matches in Mexico, but Infantino’s comments suggest FIFA has no immediate plans to alter its arrangements for the tournament, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron is slated to host matches, including play-off games between Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia at the end of March.
Infantino’s visit to Colombia was primarily to inaugurate the Colombian Football Federation’s new High-Performance Accommodation Center in Barranquilla, which he described as “one of the five or ten best in the world.” He also addressed questions regarding the expansion of the World Cup format, stating that the focus remains on the 48-team tournament planned for 2026. He confirmed that the 2034 World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia.
While Infantino expressed optimism, the situation in Mexico remains fluid. The government reported that only one of the 74 deaths was a civilian, but residents and tourists alike experienced significant disruption and fear. No official statement has been released regarding increased security measures for the World Cup, or contingency plans should the violence escalate further. The Estadio Akron is still scheduled to host play-off matches at the end of March.
