FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Tuesday he was “very reassured” about Mexico’s preparations to host matches at the 2026 World Cup, days after deadly violence erupted following the killing of a major drug cartel leader.
“Very reassured, everything’s good. It’s going to be spectacular,” Infantino told AFP in Barranquilla, Colombia — his first public comments since cartel members launched coordinated attacks after the army killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Mexico is set to co-host the tournament from June 11 to July 19 alongside the United States and Canada.
Authorities said at least 74 people died during the operation near Guadalajara and in clashes between security forces and cartel members. Officials added only one civilian was among the dead.
The violence disrupted roads in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states and sparked fires, raising concerns about safety in parts of the country less than two years before the World Cup.
