Mexico President Insists 2026 World Cup Fans Face ‘No Risk’ Amid Security Concerns

Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, has assured football supporters that there is “no risk” to fans travelling to the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite recent violence linked to the death of one of the nation’s most-wanted cartel leaders.

Speaking on Tuesday, 24 February, Sheinbaum said that “all the guarantees” for safety were in place for the global tournament, which will see matches staged in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state.

Her comments follow unrest that erupted after the capture and killing of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, widely known as “El Mencho”, during a military raid on Sunday. In retaliation, loyalists allegedly set up roadblocks and torched buses and shops in several areas of the country.

Situation ‘Normalising’

During her daily morning press conference, Sheinbaum stated that the situation was stabilising, with security forces deployed to protect the public and restore order.

“The detention of a suspected criminal with an arrest warrant can generate this type of circumstance, but we are looking for peace, not war,” she said.

When asked whether Oseguera’s killing signalled a shift away from the security approach adopted by her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum insisted that this would not be the case.

López Obrador’s administration prioritised tackling the root causes of violence, including poverty, under the slogan “hugs not bullets” — a strategy Sheinbaum appears committed to maintaining.

FIFA ‘Very Calm’ Over Tournament Plans

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also sought to reassure supporters, telling reporters he felt “very calm” about Mexico’s role as a co-host of the tournament.

“Everything is going to be spectacular,” Infantino said.

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that the governing body is closely monitoring developments and remains in regular contact with authorities at federal, state and local levels.

“We will continue to follow the actions and directions from the different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normality, and we reiterate our close collaboration with federal, state and local authorities,” the spokesperson said.

Venues Remain Unchanged

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus reaffirmed the state’s full participation in the competition and dismissed speculation that venues might be removed.

“There is absolutely no intention on FIFA’s part to remove any venues from Mexico. The three venues remain completely firm,” Lemus said.

Mexico is scheduled to host 13 of the tournament’s 104 matches, including four fixtures in Guadalajara. The country will also stage several warm-up matches ahead of the opening game on 11 June 2026.

Recent Disruptions

In the immediate aftermath of the operation against Oseguera, local Mexican leagues postponed several fixtures that had been due to take place on Sunday, as coordinated attacks were reported in various regions.

Similar retaliatory violence has occurred in recent years following the arrest of senior cartel figures in Sinaloa state, including shootouts and the burning of vehicles.

However, Mexican authorities remain confident that robust security planning will ensure the smooth hosting of one of world football’s most prestigious tournaments.