As of Monday morning, February 23, 2026, there has been no formal announcement from FIFA, the Mexican Football Federation, or the host city organizers (Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey) regarding a change in venue.
Why the Rumors Are Spreading
- “Credible Chatter” on X: A post claiming that FIFA was moving games to additional sites in the U.S. and Canada gained over 300,000 views within hours. These claims originated from unverified accounts without citations to official sources.
- Proximity of Violence: The military raid took place in Tapalpa, Jalisco, only about two hours from Guadalajara, one of the three host cities. The subsequent “narco-blockades” and panic at Guadalajara International Airport fueled the narrative that the region is too unstable for a global event.
- Immediate Match Suspensions: On Sunday, several Liga MX and international friendly matches (including a game between Mexico and Iceland) were postponed due to the unrest, which social media users conflated with the World Cup schedule.
FIFA’s Current Position
While FIFA has not issued a new statement specifically addressing El Mencho’s death, its existing 2026 risk assessments already account for “elevated cartel presence” in host cities.
- Official Schedule: The opening match is still set for Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
- Security Planning: FIFA is working with Mexican federal authorities to deploy roughly 50,000 security personnel for the tournament.
- Monitoring: Security analysts (such as those from Healix and SafeAbroad) have noted that while risks are “moderate to high,” the tournament remains months away, and the current violence is viewed as a reactionary spike rather than a permanent shift in the security landscape.
What Is Actually Happening in Mexico?
While the World Cup is not being canceled, the immediate reality for travelers is severe:
- Shelter-in-Place: US, Canadian, and Indian embassies have issued urgent alerts for the state of Jalisco.
- Flight Cancellations: Major airlines (Delta, United, WestJet, Air Canada) suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara on Sunday and Monday.
- Consular Advice: Travelers currently in the affected regions are urged to stay indoors and avoid highways where burning vehicle blockades are still being cleared.
