MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� The violence that erupted in Mexico after the death of a powerful drug lord has left many questioning whether the country will be able to co-host the World Cup in just over three months.
President Gianni Infantino thinks it can.
鈥淥f course, we are monitoring the situation in Mexico these days, but I want to say from the outset that we have complete confidence in Mexico, in its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will go as smoothly as possible,鈥� Infantino said late Tuesday in a press conference in Colombia.
鈥淢exico is a great country, like in every country in the world, things happen; we don鈥檛 live on the moon or another planet,鈥� Infantino added. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we have governments, police, and authorities who will ensure order and security.鈥�
The Mexican army 鈥淓l Mencho,鈥� who led the , on Sunday, sparking several days of violence. Cartel members in nearly a dozen Mexican states and authorities report that at least 70 people have died.
Four high-level soccer matches from the local leagues were postponed last Sunday, including one in the central city of Queretaro, where Mexico defeated Iceland 4-0 late Wednesday in a friendly match.
Before the match, a minute of silence was held in the Corregidora stadium in honor of the soldiers who died during the operation to capture Oseguera.
Thirteen World Cup matches are scheduled to be held in Mexico, including the opening game in Mexico City on June 11 between the co-host and South Africa. Guadalajara, the central hub for the Jalisco cartel, is scheduled to host four.
Colombia is set to play one game in Mexico City and one in Guadalajara.
鈥淥ur first two matches are in Mexico, but we know they will overcome this and move forward,鈥� said Ram贸n Jesur煤n, the president of the Colombian Soccer Federation. 鈥淚 have absolute and total confidence in my geopolitical thinking that this is an issue Mexico will overcome, and overcome very quickly.鈥�
Other nations have expressed more concern. The Portuguese soccer federation said Tuesday that it was closely monitoring developments ahead of a planned friendly against Mexico in March. Jamaica is set to play New Caledonia in Guadalajara on March 26 in an intercontinental playoff semifinal, with the winner advancing to face Congo for a World Cup spot.
鈥淭he games are at the end of March, so we still have another month to see what happens; but it is making me very nervous, to be honest,鈥� said Michael Ricketts, the president of the Jamaican Soccer Federation. “We will be listening out for CONCACAF and FIFA to give us instructions (on) whether they are playing the games or whether they are immediately looking for other options.鈥�
Another Mexican city, Monterrey, will host a playoff where Bolivia plays Suriname and the winner faces Iraq for a spot in the tournament.
On Monday, Sheinbaum said there is 鈥渆very guarantee鈥� that the World Cup matches in Guadalajara will be played as planned and added that there was 鈥渘o risk.鈥�
鈥淲e are in regular contact with the presidency and the authorities in Mexico and we are monitoring the situation,鈥� Infantino said. 鈥淭he World Cup is going to be an incredible celebration鈥�.
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