Mexico to deploy 100,000 security personnel for the World Cup as cartel violence continues

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 10 Mar 2026 05:53 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Mexico officials have confirmed that 100,000 security personnel will be deployed to World Cup venues to protect football fans this summer.

There is currently unrest in the country following the killing of Jalisco New Generation cartel leader, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho'.

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 violence and unrest in areas of the country but it is concentrated 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.

Twelve thousand people have been reported missing since the violence started.

🇲🇽 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

FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists that not only will Mexico be safe and ready to host its share of World Cup matches, but also for the upcoming intercontinental playoffs at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara which will take place later this month.

“We are analyzing and monitoring the situation in Mexico at the moment,” he said. “From the outset, I want to express our full confidence in Mexico, in President Claudia Sheinbaum and in the authorities. We are convinced that everything will unfold in the best possible way.

“We have matches in Mexico in a month for the World Cup Playoff, and the stadium will also be reopened. Mexico is a great country, a football country, and as in every nation in the world, situations arise.

“From my side, and on behalf of FIFA, there is absolute confidence in President [Claudia] Sheinbaum. We are in regular contact with the presidency and the authorities, and we continue to follow the situation. The World Cup will be an incredible celebration.”

It has also now been confirmed that a significant amount of security personnel will be present at the World Cup matches.

The head of Mexico's World Cup co-ordination centre, Roman Villalvazo Barrios, has said that "just over 99,000 personnel" will be deployed, according to the BBC. This comes from roughly 20,000 military personnel and 55,000 police officers, as well as staff from private security companies.

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•App Store