President Sheinbaum Reassures Fans

Mexico is committed to safely hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite recent unrest following the death of a key cartel leader. President Claudia Sheinbaum has assured attendees that there are all the guarantees to ensure their safety.

The reassurance comes after disruptions in Jalisco state triggered concerns about security during the tournament. Though, Sheinbaum insisted that matches in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara will pose no risk to fans.

Guadalajara Matches Confirmed

Guadalajara will host four group stage matches at the Estadio Guadalajara:

• Korea – opponent not yet known
• Mexico – South Korea
• Colombia – opponent not yet known
• Uruguay – Spain

Mexico will be hosting the World Cup for the third time, having previously hosted in 1970 and 1986. This year, the country will co-host with the United States and Canada.

Cartel Activity and Extortion Concerns

Experts suggest that cartels view the World Cup as an opportunity for financial gain, primarily through extortion. As one expert explained, they don’t make money by robbing and beating up tourists. They do this by visiting hotels, restaurants and taxi companies and saying: you are going to make a lot of money in the near future, and part of it will go to us. So extortion.

The increased global attention during the World Cup is also a deterrent for cartels, as violence against tourists could attract unwanted scrutiny.

Security Measures in Place

Authorities are prioritizing security to ensure the event proceeds without incident. Increased security presence is expected throughout the host cities, mirroring successful strategies employed during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Potential Concerns Remain

Despite assurances, some concerns remain regarding the overall experience for visitors. Issues such as high ticket prices, long travel distances between the three host countries, and potential difficulties with immigration services could impact fan attendance and enjoyment.

As one observer noted, Airlines are currently not flying to a World Cup host city and governments are issuing negative travel advice. These will be adjusted again, but that image will remain in people’s minds for a while.