FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed confidence in Mexico’s readiness to host matches at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, despite recent violence triggered by the killing of a major drug cartel leader.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking to AFP on Tuesday in Barranquilla, Colombia, Infantino dismissed concerns about security in one of the tournament’s host nations.
“Very reassured, everything’s good. It’s going to be spectacular,” Infantino said.
Mexico will co-host the World Cup from June 11 to July 19 alongside the United States and Canada.
The reassurance came days after violent clashes erupted following the killing of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a military operation near Guadalajara.
At least 74 people were killed in the operation and subsequent confrontations between security forces and suspected cartel members. While authorities said only one civilian was among the dead, widespread unrest saw cartel gunmen block roads across 20 of Mexico’s 32 states and set fire to vehicles and businesses.
Residents in affected areas described scenes of chaos and fear.
“It feels like we’re in a war zone,” said Javier Perez, a 41-year-old engineer, speaking from a grocery store parking lot in the tourist resort of Puerto Vallarta, where burnt vehicles littered the area.
The violence, which unfolded less than four months before the World Cup, drew global attention and raised questions about security preparations. FIFA had initially declined to comment before Infantino’s remarks.
However, some football authorities remain cautious. The Portuguese Football Federation said it was “closely monitoring the delicate situation currently unfolding in Mexico” and warned that safety concerns would determine whether its national team proceeds with a scheduled friendly match in Mexico City on March 29.
Mexico’s national team coach, Javier Aguirre, struck a more optimistic tone, saying:
“All is going ahead as planned.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also reassured fans, stating there was “no risk” to World Cup attendees and that the situation was “gradually returning to normal.”
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state and one of the cities affected by the violence, is scheduled to host four group-stage matches. Mexico City and Monterrey will also stage games and were not directly impacted by the unrest.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus dismissed speculation that Guadalajara could be removed as a host city, saying there was “absolutely no risk” of any change.
The violence has also disrupted economic activity. Japanese automaker Honda temporarily suspended operations at its assembly plant in Guadalajara.
“As a precautionary measure, our operations in our installations in Guadalajara were temporarily suspended on Monday, February 23,” said Daniela Sanchez, a company spokesperson, adding the firm was “assessing the (security) situation.”
Oseguera, who carried a $15 million bounty in the United States, was a founding member of CJNG, one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organisations. Mexican authorities said his capture was aided by intelligence from the United States, though no US forces were involved in the raid.
Despite the unrest, Mexican authorities and FIFA officials maintain that preparations for the World Cup remain on track.
