FIFA reviews World Cup security with Mexico after cartel violence

Friday 06 March 2026 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

FIFA reviews World Cup security with Mexico after cartel violence

FIFA representatives met Mexican government officials in Mexico City on Wednesday to assess security arrangements for the 13 World Cup matches scheduled in Mexico this summer, following weeks of concern over cartel violence triggered by the killing of drug cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho.

The meeting brought together FIFA delegates, federal security secretary Omar García Harfuch, members of Mexico’s national security cabinet, and authorities from the three host states: Mexico City, Jalisco, and Nuevo León. García Harfuch said authorities reviewed intelligence coordination, prevention strategies, and operational deployment plans that will be implemented during the international tournament, according to the Associated Press.

Mexico will co host the World Cup with the United States and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

President Claudia Sheinbaum used her daily press briefing to reaffirm the government’s commitment to ensuring security for the tournament. She said monitoring systems and security controls were in place to guarantee that the event would proceed without incident and allow international visitors to attend safely.

The meeting followed a phone conversation last week between Sheinbaum and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. According to the Associated Press, Infantino expressed confidence in Mexico’s ability to host the tournament. Sheinbaum said the security situation had returned to normal following what she described as an isolated episode.

Concerns intensified after a military operation on February 22 in Tapalpa, in the state of Jalisco, killed El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The operation triggered violent retaliation across several regions of Mexico. Cartel members burned vehicles and set up roadblocks in at least eight states. In Guadalajara, a host city scheduled to stage four World Cup matches, armed groups set fire to vehicles and a gas station, forcing parts of the city into lockdown.

The clashes and subsequent violence left about 70 people dead, according to the Associated Press.

The unrest led World Aquatics to cancel a diving World Cup event near Guadalajara. FIFA, however, has not relocated any planned matches. Guadalajara and Monterrey remain scheduled to host an intercontinental playoff tournament involving six teams competing for the final two World Cup qualification spots, in addition to matches during the main tournament.

Mexico’s opening match against South Africa is set for June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. With three months remaining before kickoff, Wednesday’s meeting marked the first in person security review between FIFA and Mexican authorities since the recent wave of cartel violence. Both sides said preparations for the tournament remain on schedule.