Infantino has “total confidence” that Mexico will organize its World Cup matches without problems

The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has “total confidence” that Mexico, despite the complicated moment it is experiencing with its war on the country’s drug cartels, will safely organize the final phase of the World Cup and the play-off matches.

A drug cartel has unleashed a campaign of violence in the state of Jalisco in response to the murder last week of ‘El Mencho’, one of its main leaders. The capital, Guadalajara, will host four matches in the final phase, including Spain-Uruguay on June 26, as well as two World Cup play-off matches next month, between New Caledonia and Jamaica, and between the winner of this clash and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

However, Infantino has given his full support to Mexico to organize the matches safely and, on a visit to Colombia, he made it clear that, “of course”, they are closely following the situation in Mexico at the moment. “But I want to say from the beginning that we have full confidence in Mexico, in President Claudia Sheinbaum, in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will turn out in the best possible way,” he warned.

“We have some play-off qualifying matches in Mexico in a month; and the new Azteca Stadium is going to be inaugurated. Mexico is a great country, a football country and, like in all countries in the world, things happen, that is why we have states, police and authorities that will ensure order and security. For my part, and for FIFA’s part, I have absolute confidence,” he added.

The leader stressed that “the authorities today have more important things to talk about than football.” “But soccer is part of Mexico and we fully support President Sheinbaum, who shares that passion for soccer. Forward, Mexico, and forward with this celebration that will be for the whole world,” he said.

For his part, the president of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramón Jesúrn, whose team will play two games in Mexico, including one in Guadalajara on June 23, also sees no problems. “I am happy to hear from the president of FIFA. We remain delighted, satisfied and proud that our first two matches will be played there,” he confessed.