The planned killing of Cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, called “El Mencho,” who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has initiated violence in some western areas of Mexico. This has a serious worry about the security of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as it gets closer.
After a military operation in Jalisco state that killed Oseguera, suspected cartel members responded by blocking highways with burning cars and setting fire to businesses in several cities like Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. A few Liga MX games got pushed back just to be safe, and local officials put emergency plans in place to keep people from moving around too much.
One of the places hit is Zapopan, where Estadio Akron is located, which is the stadium for Chivas de Guadalajara and is set to hold World Cup games in 2026. Even though there aren’t any World Cup events coming up soon, the recent unrest has brought back old worries about safety in the cities hosting these events.
FIFA said it’s keeping a close eye on the situation and is staying in regular contact with both federal and state officials in Mexico. The governing body has already shown trust in Mexico’s security plans, with better surveillance and joint police efforts lined up for the tournament.
The violence hasn’t hit sporting venues directly, but the instability still shows the challenges organizers are dealing with. Mexican authorities are under more pressure to prove they can keep fans, teams, and visitors safe when the world’s biggest football tournament comes next summer.
