FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday said that he spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and that he has “full confidence” in Mexico as a host country for this year’s FIFA World Cup, despite violent incidents following the death of a drug lord that left at least 70 people dead.
On Sunday last week, the Mexican army killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, sparking several days of violence. Cartel members burned vehicles and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states.
“I had an excellent conversation earlier today with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum,” Infantino said. “I reiterated our full confidence in the host country, and look forward to it staging all scheduled matches there at what will be the most inclusive and the greatest FIFA World Cup ever.”
Photo: Reuters
Mexico is set to host 13 World Cup matches, four of them in the western city of Guadalajara, in Jalisco State, the central hub for the Jalisco cartel.
“I spoke by phone with FIFA president Gianni Infantino; we continue working as usual to successfully host the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Sheinbaum wrote on X. “We reaffirm our confidence in the country.”
Sheinbaum has vowed this week there was “no risk” for visitors, but on Thursday a World Cup diving event set to be held in a Guadalajara suburb next week was canceled over security concerns.
Earlier in the week the Portuguese soccer federation said it was “closely monitoring the delicate situation” ahead of a friendly match against Mexico’s national team in Mexico City.
Infantino earlier this week said in Colombia that he was convinced that “everything will go as smoothly as possible.”
Besides the four World Cup matches, the western city of Guadalajara is scheduled to host an international playoff late next month.
New Caledonia are to play Jamaica and the winners face the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a spot in the World Cup.
Jamaica Football Federation president Michael Ricketts this week said that his organization is closely monitoring the situation in Mexico ahead of the Reggae Boyz’ scheduled international matches next month.
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