FIFA Under Pressure to Cancel 2026 World Cup in Mexico After Cartel Violence Erupts
Pressure is intensifying on FIFA to reconsider hosting 2026 World Cup matches in Mexico following a devastating wave of cartel violence. This unrest was triggered by the reported death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as El Mencho, the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. According to BBC News, authorities stated that El Mencho was seriously wounded during a firefight with Mexican special forces and later died while being transported to Mexico City. At least six of his guards were killed, and three soldiers were injured in the operation.
Cartel Retaliation Sparks Chaos Across Mexico
After news of El Mencho's death broke, cartel members launched coordinated attacks across more than 20 Mexican states, as reported by CNN World. The violence included:
- Businesses being torched and set ablaze
- Highways blocked with burning vehicles to halt traffic
- Roads littered with spikes and nails to impede movement
- Dozens of banks and pharmacies set on fire
- Buses seized and burned in major towns
Videos shared online showed thick smoke rising above cities, including the tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta, highlighting the widespread nature of the attacks.
Guadalajara Host City Panic Raises Safety Alarms
Particular concern has focused on Guadalajara, one of Mexico's designated host cities for the 2026 tournament. Panic scenes were reported at the city's airport, with travelers seen crouching and running for cover after gunshots were heard near a nearby highway. This incident has amplified fears about the safety of fans, players, and officials during the World Cup.
Mexico is scheduled to co-host the tournament alongside the United States and Canada in the first-ever tri-nation World Cup. However, the scale of the unrest has raised serious doubts over whether matches in Mexican cities can proceed as planned, casting a shadow over the event's viability.
Fans Demand FIFA Action on Safety Concerns
As violence spread, fans took to social media to question FIFA's ability to guarantee safety and called for urgent action. Key concerns voiced include:
- Safety of participants: Many users emphasized that the safety of football fans and players must be the top priority, with some describing the situation as worrisome and nuts.
- Relocation proposals: Suggestions have been made to move matches to alternative hosts such as England or Germany, countries cited for their infrastructure and stability.
- Risk assessment: Fans argue that if the situation isn't stable enough to protect lives, postponing or relocating matches makes more sense than risking casualties.
One user noted that 13 matches of the World Cup are set to be played in Mexico, underscoring the significant impact of any disruption.
FIFA's Silence and Tournament Details
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across sixteen cities: eleven in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. While FIFA has not issued any official response to the fan backlash, pressure continues to mount as security fears dominate discussions about the Mexican leg of the tournament.
In a related development, FIFA has published its CAS & Football Annual Report 2025. This comes at a time when Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo are awaiting a ruling on the Nigeria Football Federation's petition over alleged use of ineligible players in the African play-offs for the 2026 World Cup. The report did not refer to Nigeria's protest, filed on December 15, 2025, following the Super Eagles' penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo.
As the situation unfolds, the international football community watches closely, with many hoping for a resolution that ensures safety without compromising the spirit of the game.
