Sheinbaum visits Jalisco to address World Cup security worries

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum went to Jalisco on Friday, holding her morning news briefing from military headquarters and laying out a security approach meant to calm worries ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The visit came as violence across Mexico’s western region has raised doubts about the country’s ability to host thousands of visitors, with Guadalajara, one of the tournament host cities, among those affected.

The unrest has followed the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” by Mexico’s army last month, authorities said. Clashes between cartel gunmen and the burning of cars spread across Mexico, but the violence has been most intense in Jalisco and in Guadalajara, according to the AP report that covered Sheinbaum’s trip.

AP reported that the wave of violence has left more than 70 people dead, including 25 National Guard members. As the World Cup approaches—Sheinbaum’s remarks and the officials’ planning were tied to the fact that there are fewer than 100 days until the tournament—Mexican officials moved to project confidence, including through outreach to FIFA leadership.

During the Friday visit, Sheinbaum was accompanied by her Security Cabinet and senior military commanders. She hosted the news briefing in the municipality where “El Mencho” was buried earlier this week under heavy guard, the report said, and near the stadium that will host World Cup games in Guadalajara.

Sheinbaum told reporters: “We are here … to tell everyone in Jalisco, all the people of Jalisco, that we are together, that we are working for peace, security and the well-being of the inhabitants of this beautiful state,” the AP report said. She and security officials also detailed what they described as a summer security plan for the tournament, aimed at protecting key sites and visitors as the event draws international attention.

Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, described by AP as the architect of the government’s cartel offensive, said the government has worked with authorities in the United States, Canada and FIFA to strengthen planning and risk responses. AP reported that his description of the plan included specialized training for officials, planning and operational exercises, early warning systems, and security deployments around stadiums, airports, roadways and lodging centers, as well as protective arrangements for delegations and attendees.

The report also said Sheinbaum previously sought to reassure partners and markets as the violence surged. It described a phone call, shortly after violence broke out in late February, between Sheinbaum and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in which Infantino expressed “full confidence” that Mexico will be able to host part of the World Cup.

AP further reported that Sheinbaum had also held a phone call with FIFA leadership and recently wore a FIFA scarf and posed next to the World Cup trophy. In Guadalajara, Gen. Román Villalvazo, who leads security coordination for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said officials had created three joint task forces in host cities—Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey—and he described the tournament as requiring Mexico to present a reliable, secure country to the international community while confronting threats that could undermine national security.

On Friday, Villalvazo said: “The 2026 FIFA World Cup organized by Mexico, the United States and Canada represents an unprecedented event.” He added, “For Mexico, it entails two challenges: to present a reliable and secure country before the international community, and to have the capacity to confront any threats that undermine national security,” according to the AP report.

As the planned security deployments move toward the summer tournament window, officials are aiming to counter the concerns that have accompanied the violence, particularly in Guadalajara. With Guadalajara hosting matches as one of Mexico’s three World Cup cities, the government’s approach now centers on coordinating federal and local authorities in and around key transit and lodging areas, alongside heightened attention to stadium security.