FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed his intention to attend the FIFA World Cup matches in Mexico this summer, despite the ongoing cartel violence troubling the area.
This violence has persisted following the recent death of notorious fentanyl trafficker Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes. He was captured and killed by authorities on Sunday after they tracked his girlfriend to a secret location. Oseguera, who became infamous after taking over following the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman, had a $15 million bounty on his head.
As the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, his death has triggered an uptick in violence, resulting in the deaths of at least 70 individuals across the country.
Infantino stated he has “full confidence” in the upcoming matches, including one scheduled for June at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, which has been significantly affected by cartel-related violence. In total, four matches are set for Guadalajara and 13 for Mexico, with Mexico City and Monterrey also designated as host cities. The opening matches will take place on June 11.
“No one has to move anything,” Infantino remarked, indicating ongoing communication with the Mexican presidential administration and local authorities. He emphasized their trust in the Mexican president and his team, acknowledging that while situations can be unpredictable—both positive and negative—it’s essential to be prepared and address them as they arise.
Infantino mentioned that FIFA is “obviously monitoring the situation” closely.
“Mexico is a soccer country. Mexicans, authorities, and citizens are committed to making the World Cup and subsequent matches a grand celebration of soccer,” he added.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that the World Cup would proceed without “risk” for fans attending domestic matches, asserting that there were “every guarantee” in place. Mexico is also set to host a playoff match against Jamaica on March 26.
However, the soccer landscape in Mexico has already been shaken by violence, resulting in the postponement of four matches this past Sunday. Michael Ricketts, the president of the Jamaica Football Federation, expressed concern, saying, “We will pay attention to instructions from CONCACAF and FIFA. Are they going ahead with the game, or should we be considering alternatives?”
The arrest and death of Oseguera-Cervantes represent a significant strike against drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico, particularly since heightened efforts were called for in response to cartel violence.
