Mexico The hosts plan to move up their friendly against Iceland on Wednesday at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro amid unrest and violence in the country, sources told ESPN on Monday.
Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed El Mencho and leader of the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel, was killed by the Mexican military in a targeted strike on Sunday, sparking widespread reaction from members of the group. Individuals burned cars and blocked roads in protest, forcing FMF to postpone sunday’s Liga MX Matches between Querétaro and Juárez FC and Chivas vs. América in the women’s league.
Those postponements put Wednesday’s friendly into question, but the Mexico team went ahead with its previously scheduled training session in Queretaro on Monday and a Mexican federation source told ESPN the game was expected to go as planned.
Sources said that due to the unrest FIFA has asked for a report from Mexico on the security situation affecting the country.
FIFA is closely monitoring events on Sunday and Monday, especially in Guadalajara, Jalisco, which will be one of the host cities of the 2026 World Cup this summer.
Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara, is scheduled to host four games at the World Cup in June, including two in South Korea. Co-hosts Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia will also play there.
Before the Games in the summer, Monterrey and Guadalajara are set to host FIFA interconfederation playoff matches in March, which will determine two of the six remaining participants at the World Cup. bolivia, surinameNew Caledonia, Jamaica, Iraq And DR Congo is fully prepared to compete.
Internal documents sent from FIFA Mexico to FIFA headquarters in Zurich summarize the events that occurred between Sunday and the early hours of Monday, so the governing body can determine whether a security problem exists and take next steps.
At the moment, sources confirm that there are no signs or indications that Mexico’s ability to host World Cup or interconfederation playoff matches is in jeopardy.
A friendly is also scheduled before the World Cup in Mexico portugal In March – a game in which Global Star Cristiano Ronaldo Expected to participate.
As one of the host nations of the World Cup, Mexico will play in the opening match of the tournament. South Africa On June 11 in Mexico City.
The CJNG cartel is considered the most powerful in Mexico, with an estimated 19,000 members and operations spread across 21 of the country’s 31 states and Mexico City. It has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
