Mexico is proceeding with its scheduled friendly match against Iceland on , despite ongoing unrest and violence across the country following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed El Mencho. The game is slated to be played at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro.
The decision comes after a weekend that saw widespread backlash from members of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) following El Mencho’s killing by the Mexican army. Protests included burned cars and blocked roads, forcing the postponement of two Liga MX matches: Queretaro versus Juarez FC and Chivas versus America in the women’s league. Those postponements initially cast doubt on whether the Iceland friendly would continue as planned.
However, the Mexican team held its scheduled training session in Queretaro on , and a source within the Mexican federation confirmed the expectation that the match will go ahead. The CJNG is considered the most powerful cartel in Mexico, with an estimated 19,000 members operating across 21 of the country’s 31 states and Mexico City. It was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration.
The escalating situation has prompted FIFA to request reports from Mexico regarding the security situation. The governing body is closely monitoring events, particularly in Guadalajara, Jalisco, which is scheduled to host four matches during the World Cup, including two featuring South Korea, as well as games involving Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, and Colombia.
Guadalajara is also set to host FIFA interconfederation playoff matches in , determining two of the remaining six participants in the World Cup. The playoff contenders include Bolivia, Suriname, New Caledonia, Jamaica, Iraq, and DR Congo.
Internal documents sent from FIFA Mexico to FIFA headquarters in Zurich summarized the events of and to allow the governing body to assess potential security issues and determine next steps. Currently, sources indicate there are no indications that Mexico’s ability to host the World Cup or the interconfederation playoffs is at risk.
The unrest raises broader questions about security preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. While FIFA has expressed confidence in Mexico’s ability to host, the situation underscores the challenges of ensuring safety and security in a country grappling with significant cartel violence.
Mexico also has a pre-World Cup friendly scheduled with Portugal in , expected to feature Cristiano Ronaldo. As a host nation, Mexico will kick off the tournament on against South Africa in Mexico City. The events of the past few days will undoubtedly add a layer of scrutiny to all upcoming matches played within the country.
One senior FIFA official, speaking anonymously, expressed worry over the chaotic scenes unfolding across news channels globally. The official also cautioned that the playoff games could be vulnerable to relocation if FIFA is not quickly satisfied that the safety of all participants and stakeholders can be guaranteed. However, a FIFA spokesperson later stated it would be inaccurate and misleading to suggest significant concerns, and affirmed “full confidence” in all three host countries.
Mexican National Guard special forces have been deployed and are on high alert. The situation remains fluid, and continued monitoring by both Mexican authorities and FIFA will be crucial in the lead-up to the Iceland friendly and, more importantly, the World Cup itself.
