World Cup worry for Bafana? Mexico address security concerns amid violent clashes

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has affirmed that there is “no risk” for visitors attending the upcoming FIFA World Cup, despite a recent surge in violence following the killing of a prominent cartel leader.

The unrest saw cartel gunmen block roads and clash with security forces across the country.

The violence erupted after a dawn raid on Sunday by the Mexican military to apprehend Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He was fatally wounded in the ensuing firefight and died while being transported to a hospital.

In retaliation, followers of El Mencho took to the streets, obstructing nearly 100 major roads and attacking National Guard bases, primarily in the states of Jalisco and Michoacán. The clashes resulted in the deaths of at least 25 soldiers and 34 cartel members.

Which Mexican towns have been badly hit?

While the violence had largely subsided by Monday, local media continued to report sporadic incidents in rural areas of Jalisco. Guadalajara, the state capital, is slated to host four World Cup matches.

The tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, will also feature games in Mexico City’s iconic Azteca stadium and Monterrey. Bafana Bafana will play the 2026 World Cup opener against Mexico at Azteca Stadium on June 11.

During her daily press conference on Tuesday, President Sheinbaum stated that “all the guarantees” are in place for the World Cup to proceed as planned in Mexico. Cities like Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, which were heavily impacted by Sunday’s blockades, are gradually returning to normal operations this week.

“Little by little the situation [in Jalisco] is returning to normal,” Sheinbaum commented.

Where Bafana will play and stay in Mexico

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed to Reuters on Monday that the organisation is monitoring the situation. “At FIFA Mexico, we are closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain in constant communication with the authorities,” the statement read.

Mexico will host matches at three venues; Azteca Stadium in Mexico City (83,000), Estadio BBVA in Monterrey (53,500) and the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (48,000) with Bafana Bafana set to play two of their three group stage matches in the country.

South Africa’s opener against co-hosts Mexico will be at Azteca on June 11 before the second against a European opponent on June 18 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA and then finish with a game against South Korea at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on June 25.

Hugo Broos’ team will have their World Cup base at Pachuca Universidad del Futbol, a football and sports sciences academy aligned to local club CF Pachuca, located in the state of Hidalgo.