The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has stated in the Colombian city of Barranquilla that has “total confidence in Mexico” to hold this year’s World Cupwhich has matches scheduled in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, despite the violence unleashed in the country.
“We are analyzing and monitoring the situation in Mexico these daysat the moment, but I want to say from the beginning that we have total confidence in Mexico, in its president (Claudia) Sheinbaum, in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will happen in the best possible way,” Infantino said in a press conference.
As a result of the death last Sunday in Jalisco of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias ‘El Mencho’, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexico suffered an outbreak of violence that sparked concern abroad where they wondered if the country would be able to guarantee security during the World Cup.
The Governor of the Mexican State of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus, assured that on Monday there was a meeting with the FIFA offices in Mexico and The governing body of soccer in the world said it has no intention of removing the headquarters from Mexico, which will organize five games at the Azteca Stadium, four in Guadalajara and four in Monterrey.
“The World Cup is going to be an incredible party”
Likewise, in March the qualifying tournament for the 2026 Soccer World Cup will be held in Mexico, which will give two places to the World Cup, and the remodeled Azteca stadium will be inaugurated, where the opening match of the tournament between the North Americans and South Africa will be played on June 11.
“We have some games in a month in Mexico, the playoffs for the World Cup, and The new Azteca stadium is also going to be inaugurated. Mexico is a great soccer country. As in every country in the world things happen, we do not live on the moon or on another planet, things happen, that is why we have States, police, authorities, who are going to ensure order and security,” said Infantino.
He then added: “On my part, on the part of FIFA, absolute confidence in President Sheinbaum, we are in regular contact with the Presidency and the authorities and we continue, in any case, the situation. The World Cup is going to be an incredible party.”
