Despite the violence, Mexico is completely trusted to the World Cup: Infantino

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated on Tuesday in the Colombian city of Barranquilla that he has “total confidence in Mexico” to host this year’s World Cup. Which has matches scheduled in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, despite the violence that has erupted in the country.

“We are analyzing and monitoring the situation in Mexico these days, at this moment. But I want to say from the outset that we have total confidence in Mexico, in its president (Claudia) Sheinbaum, in the authorities. We are convinced that everything will go as smoothly as possible,” Infantino said at a press conference.

After Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as «El Mencho,» the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed in Jalisco on Sunday. Mexico experienced a wave of violence that sparked worries overseas about whether the nation could ensure security during the World Cup.

Pablo Lemus, the governor of Jalisco, said that at a meeting with FIFA representatives in Mexico on Monday. The international football governing body declared that it had no plans to remove Mexico as a host nation. Mexico will host four games in Guadalajara, four in Monterrey, and five in Azteca Stadium.

The 2026 World Cup qualifying round, which will grant two World Cup spots, will take place in Mexico in March. The renovated Azteca stadium, where the tournament’s opening match between South Africa and the North Americans will take place on June 11, will also be opened.