Four soccer games in Mexico were postponed when violence erupted near the city of Guadalajara following a military operation that killed the cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, and Fifa is monitoring the situation in that 2026 World Cup host city.
Oseguera — whose nickname “El Mencho” and involvement with the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG turned him into one of Mexico’s most-wanted drug lords — died in custody after suffering injuries during a special forces operation on Mexico’s Pacific coast in Jalisco state, the defense ministry said.
“At FIFA, we are closely following the security situation in Jalisco and remain in close contact with relevant authorities,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.
“We will continue to monitor the actions and guidance from various government agencies, in efforts to keep the public safe and return things to normal, and we emphasize our close cooperation with federal, state and local authorities.”
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that “all the guarantees” were in place for the World Cup, and there was “no risk” to visitors.
Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, expressed similar sentiments, saying in an event in Colombia: “Everything is fine. It’s going to be spectacular.”
On March 26-31, Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Guadalajara — host of matches during the World Cup — will hold playoff games with Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia.
The state governor of Jalisco — where the 46,000-seat Estadio Akron is located — Pablo Lemus, said Fifa had assured it did not plan to strip host cities.
Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, also a World Cup site, will beneficiate from its reopening after renovations with a friendly between Mexico and Portugal on March 28.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said it was closely watching developments and would decide the alternative travel plans with safety its top priority.
The Surinamese Football Federation is also assessing the situation ahead of its World Cup playoff in Monterrey. “We’re due to arrive approximately March 22, or 23 but we’ve got our eye on it,” Secretary General Mitchell Kisoor told Reuters.
Matches Postponed Indefinitely
The Mexican league announced on its social media accounts that there would be “indefinite postponement” of two top-flight games scheduled for Sunday — Queretaro v FC Juarez in the men’s league and Chivas v America in the women’s league.
Local media reported that two matches in the second division due to be played on Sunday were also canceled.
The women’s game on Sunday between Necaxa and Queretaro in Aguascalientes was stopped when players ran off the pitch after hearing loud noises outside Estadio Victoria which media reports said were gunshots.
The match was then played to completion, with Necaxa winning 2-1.
Mexico national team will play a friendly match against Iceland on Wednesday at Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro.
Meanwhile, the organisers of Acapulco’s Mexican Open men’s tennis tournament said that the event would begin on schedule on Monday and with established security protocols.
Tennis Tournament Proceeded as Planned
The women’s tournament in Merida, also in eastern Mexico, went ahead as scheduled.
“The WTA is aware of security incidents reported in parts of western Mexico,” the statement read, adding that authorities were working to increase police presence around the tournament venue.
“The safety of our players, staff and spectators is our paramount concern.”
In the aftermath of reports that El Mencho was dead, suspected cartel associates blockaded highways with burning vehicles and burned businesses in dozens of states. No civilian deaths were reported.
In the popular beach resort of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, tourists who fled in desperation discussed on social media plumes of dark smoke rising into the sky over parts of the bay.
Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico and American Airlines all suspended flights in the region.