The Akron Stadium, one of the venues scheduled to host four 2026 FIFA World Cup matches
FIFA is “closely monitoring” the situation in Guadalajara after the World Cup city was plunged into chaos following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguara Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho”.
The death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) boss during a Mexican military operation in Jalisco state on Sunday has resulted in widespread violence, with cartel members unleashing havoc across 20 states.
Roads have been blocked by burning cars, sending plumes of smoke into the air, while banks and local businesses have also been set alight. In Guadalajara, travellers at the airport could be seen running and crouching on the floor, reportedly after hearing gunshots ring out from a nearby highway.
The unrest comes just four months before the city is due to welcome fans from across the globe for the World Cup final, with the Estadio Akron in Zapopan one of three Mexican venues set to host matches this summer.
The stadium is also due to host play-off matches between Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia at the end of March, though concerns have now been raised over whether fan safety can be guaranteed amid cartel outrage.
“At FIFA Mexico, we are closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain in constant communication with the authorities,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.
“We will continue to follow the actions and directions from the different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy, and we reiterate our close collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities.”
Mexico’s footballing scene has already been affected by the developments, with the country’s top flight confirming that two games scheduled for Sunday — Queretaro vs Juarez FC in the men’s league and Chivas vs Club America in the women’s league — have been indefinitely postponed, while two second-tier matches were also called off.
Sunday’s women’s match between Necaxa and Queretaro in Aguascalientes was meanwhile suspended when players fled the pitch after hearing loud noises outside Estadio Victoria, believed to be gunshots.
The Mexico national team is due to face Iceland on Wednesday in a friendly fixture at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro. -The Independent
