Africa-Press – Eritrea. As cartel-related violence grips Mexico just months before World Cup 2026, concerns grow over the country’s ability to host matches safely.
The unrest followed a military operation targeting Nemesio Oseguera, known as El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and triggered deadly reprisals across several regions. Burned vehicles, blocked roads, and dozens of deaths plunged parts of the country into chaos, with Guadalajara—one of the host cities—among the areas affected, even as authorities deployed around 10,000 soldiers to restore order.
Despite the situation, FIFA president Gianni Infantino played down the crisis ahead of the 2026 World Cup, expressing full confidence in Mexican authorities during an interview with AFP.
He described conditions as calm and insisted the tournament would proceed smoothly, a stance echoed by Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, who assured fans that Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey would offer full security. Whether this optimism reflects reality or masks deeper risks remains an open question.
