FIFA President Gianni Infantino has spoken with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum to reiterate his trust in the country hosting World Cup games this summer despite the recent unrest and violence.
The killing of a Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed ‘El Mencho’ by the Mexican army in a targeted attack on Sunday, unleashed a wave of violence across many Mexican states.
FIFA have been monitoring the situation in Mexico and Infantino said, according to FIFA’s media channels: “I had an excellent conversation today with the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum.
“I reiterated our full confidence in the host country and we look forward to them hosting all the matches scheduled there in what will be the most inclusive and grand FIFA World Cup ever.”
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Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey will stage a total of 13 World Cup matches this summer when the country co-hosts the tournament with Canada and the United States.
Jalisco’s Estadio Akron is set to host a World Cup qualifying playoff next month as well as four World Cup games in June.
Mexico’s president Sheinbaum confirmed she spoke to Infantino and insisted her country is committed to hosting a successful World Cup.
“I spoke by phone with FIFA President Gianni Infantino,” she said. “We continue working as before to successfully host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We reaffirm our confidence in the country.”
World Aquatics announced this week it has cancelled the Diving World Cup that was scheduled to take place in Zapopan, Mexico, on March 5-8 on the basis of “travel restrictions issued by some international embassies and an overall evaluation of travel cautions.”
