Violence Threatens Mexican Football Schedule, Matches Postponed Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Four football matches in Mexico were postponed last Sunday following an outbreak of violence near Guadalajara, one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup. The unrest followed a security operation that resulted in the death of drug cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho."
The Mexican Ministry of Defense announced that Oseguera, 60, the mastermind behind the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, died from his injuries after a special forces operation on the Pacific coast of Jalisco state.
As a result of the escalating security tensions, the Mexican Football League decided to indefinitely postpone two top-flight matches scheduled for Sunday: Querétaro vs. Juárez in the men's league, and Chivas vs. América in the women's league. Additionally, two other matches in the second division were canceled.
Despite this, organizers of other tournaments, such as the men's Mexico Open tennis in Acapulco and the women's Mérida Open tennis tournament, decided to proceed with their competitions yesterday, Monday, under approved security protocols. Meanwhile, attention remains on a friendly match scheduled for the Mexican national team against Iceland on Wednesday at Corregidora Stadium in Querétaro.
