Hugo Alejandro Pérez was at his home just a few miles from the stadium set to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, when gunfire and explosions erupted outside his door. The 53-year-old restaurant owner had long been skeptical about Guadalajara hosting the global tournament, pointing to basic failures in government services, like regular water supply to his home and ongoing cartel violence in Jalisco.
This week’s surge in bloodshed, following the Mexican military’s killing of the country’s most powerful cartel leader, only reinforced his doubts. “I don’t think they should host the World Cup here,” Pérez said. “We have so many problems, and they want to invest in the World Cup? With all the violence, it's not a good idea.” On Tuesday, he joined other residents in questioning Guadalajara’s readiness, even as the Mexican government insisted the tournament—co-hosted with the United States and Canada—would proceed as planned.
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President Claudia Sheinbaum assured the public at her daily news briefing that there was ‘every guarantee’ that World Cup matches would be held safely in Jalisco, adding that there was ‘no risk’ for visiting fans. Jalisco Governor Jesús Pablo Lemus echoed her remarks, saying he had consulted with FIFA officials, who had ‘absolutely no intention of removing any venues from Mexico’ and that all three Mexican sites remained unchanged.
The Portuguese soccer federation, whose national team is scheduled to play Mexico in a friendly on March 28 at the Estadio Azteca, said it was ‘closely monitoring the delicate situation’. The Azteca Stadium is also slated to host the World Cup’s opening match on June 11.
Jalisco has faced heightened scrutiny due to its persistent cartel-related violence, including the discovery of a mass killing site at a ranch last March and an ongoing crisis of disappearances. The state, with Guadalajara as its capital, is a central hub for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), whose leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, was killed during a military operation on Sunday.
The crackdown and ensuing clashes left 70 people dead as cartel gunmen torched cars to block streets and battled security forces into Monday, before authorities declared the situation under control. Oseguera Cervantes’ death comes amid an intensified government offensive against organised crime, partly in response to demands from US President Donald Trump to target criminal networks.
The White House confirmed it provided intelligence support and praised Mexico’s military for eliminating one of the most wanted criminals in both countries.
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