Concerns rise for Mexico World Cup location after death of cartel boss leads to violence

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 23 Feb 2026 05:31 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Several football fixtures in Mexico have been cancelled as violence erupted on the streets following the death of a major drug cartel leader.

On Sunday, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho' was killed by the Mexican army. He was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel.

As news of his demise circulated, armed cartel members took to the streets to block roads, set fire to vehicles and confront the army.

There is now unrest across the country but it is concentraed to Jalisco and its capital, Guadalajara, which just happens to be one of the hosts for matches at the 2026 World Cup this summer which takes place across Mexico, the United States and Canada.

🇲🇽 If CJNG cartel leader “El Mencho” is dead, what happens next?

Seeing as one of the most hidden kingpins in the cartel was found due to Mexico's cooperation with the U.S., the CJNG cartel is retaliating by showing the government that they still have control and power to shut… https://t.co/9aruPLiPka pic.twitter.com/BfevgWJPTK

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 23, 2026

Liga MX announced that Queretaro versus FC Juarez would not go ahead, while the women's match between Club Necaxa and Queretaro saw players running off the pitch in the second half after warnings, though that game eventually recommenced.

A statement from Liga MX said: “The BBVA MX League announces that the match between Queretaro and FC Juarez, corresponding to matchday 7 of the 2026 Clausura Tournament, scheduled to be played today at 7:00 p.m. at La Corregidora Stadium, will be rescheduled with a date and time to be determined.”

Jabia Brava versus Correcaminos and Tapatio versus Tlaxcala were postponed and will have to be rescheduled.

Most notably, the Liga MX Femenil derby match between Chivas of Guadalajara and Club America due to take place at the Estadio Akron was postponed. That venue is due to host Spain versus Uruguay at the World Cup as well as three other fixtures at the tournament.

The unrest and violence between the cartel and the army has raised security concerns about travellers to Guadalajara this summer.

Jalisco’s Governor of the State, Pablo Lemus, suspended public transportation and mass gatherings for the remainder of the day on Sunday and into Monday.

The governor's office told The Athletic that they had not received any concerning communications from FIFA regarding hosting duties for the aforementioned four World Cup matches.

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