FIFA Confirms World Cup in Mexico Despite Brutal Cartel War

The death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the brutal leader of Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, has triggered a wave of unrest in Mexico, casting doubt on the safety of upcoming mass events. Although the army dealt a powerful blow to the mafia structures, retaliatory roadblocks and attacks in states like Jalisco and Chiapas have already led to the first major reputational loss: the World Aquatics federation officially canceled the Diving World Cup competition in Zapopan. This decision, justified by an "unstable situation and threat to athletes," sparked speculation about the fate of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), however, has taken a completely different stance, reassuring fans and sponsors that the tournament is not at risk. Mexico has historical experience in taking over sporting events in crisis situations; in 1986, the country hosted the World Cup after Colombia withdrew due to economic problems and internal conflicts.President Claudia Sheinbaum is using the crisis to demonstrate state strength. Her visit to Sinaloa and personal meeting with Gianni Infantino aim to convince the public that Mexico's security strategy, despite bloody incidents, is yielding results. The FIFA chief, quoted by numerous agencies, emphasized that Mexico is a "football powerhouse" that will handle logistical challenges. Meanwhile, media reports about the creation of special "security zones" and turning host cities into veritable fortresses raise questions about the atmosphere of the sports festival in the shadow of rifles. The situation is complicated by a wave of disinformation on social media, which amplifies panic among residents and tourists, suggesting that the cartel leader's death is just the beginning of a bloody succession war. 72% — is the approval rating for President Sheinbaum after the operation against the cartel Despite government assurances, critical voices point to the case of Guadalajara, where residents openly doubt whether the city is ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans in an era of open street fighting. The contrast between the optimism of sports federations and the reality of "narconómina" – cartel payrolls including local officials – paints a picture of a fractured state. While FIFA and the Mexican government push for normalization, families of the missing in Jalisco fear that the World Cup's spotlight will be used to "clean up" the violence problem from public space without actually solving the root causes of the crisis. The coming months will be a crucial test for the Sheinbaum administration, which must prove that El Mencho's death was not merely a symbolic success but a real turn towards stabilization. „Mexico is a great football country, and we have full confidence in the authorities and the organizing committee to deliver a safe and wonderful World Cup.” — Gianni Infantino