Mexico Vs Iceland — mexico vs iceland friendly to go ahead in Querétaro
The mexico vs iceland friendly will go ahead in Querétaro despite a wave of weekend violence that led to canceled events across several states. Mexico’s national soccer federation (FMF) has insisted since Sunday that the game would take place as planned, even as officials weighed contingency and logistical options while prioritizing safety.
Security and "shelter in place"
Violence erupted across broad swaths of Mexico on Sunday after a notorious drug lord was killed by the military, and authorities issued "shelter in place" orders in several states. The unrest resulted in the cancellation of public events in several states and led to four soccer matches being called off that day. Online rumors gained considerable traction throughout Sunday, but most were unreliable and unconfirmed accounts.
Guadalajara and canceled matches
Speculation intensified because the worst violence took place in and around Guadalajara, which is one of three Mexican host cities for the global soccer tournament. The Guadalajara stadium where four World Cup matches are slated to be played saw disruptions: Liga MX Femenil postponed Sunday’s América-Chivas national derby scheduled for that venue, and a Liga MX Femenil match in Aguascalientes (223 kilometers, or 138 miles, northeast of Guadalajara) was suspended for a few minutes when "detonations" were heard near the stadium.
Querétaro to host Mexico Vs Iceland
The cancellation of a Liga MX contest that was to be played in Querétaro — about 350 kilometers (217 miles) southeast of Guadalajara — drew considerable attention. That concern was tempered by the fact that Mexico’s national team is set to square off against Iceland’s national team at that same venue on Wednesday night. Local messages also indicated that Governor Kuri confirmed the MéxicoVsIslandia match will proceed with public access in Querétaro, and that the Wednesday fixture remains unchanged following attention to the recent security events.
Teams' arrivals and training sessions
The Iceland squad arrived in Querétaro on Saturday night, and team officials have not publicly expressed any opposition to playing the game. Mexico’s players — all from Liga MX clubs — assembled in Mexico City on Sunday before traveling to Querétaro for Monday and Tuesday training sessions.
FMF response and security plans
Mexico’s national soccer federation (FMF) has insisted since Sunday the game would take place as planned, though it considered a range of logistical measures in case other options were required. One contingency was staging the game "behind closed doors, " but the FMF now anticipates 30, 000 fans will be cheering on El Tri at La Corregidora Stadium. An FMF source said that "although the match is unlikely to be canceled, the safety of those attending is the main concern surrounding this encounter. " After consulting with the state Security Cabinet Monday night, local authorities consented to allow the game to go forward with enhanced security provided by federal, state and local agencies; Querétaro officials were meeting with the FMF on Tuesday to finalize details.
World Cup questions linger
Partly fueling speculation was the decision by Liga MX to cancel a Sunday afternoon match and by Ascenso MX to postpone two matches. On Monday, said there are no signs or indications that Mexico’s ability to host the World Cup or next month’s interconfederation playoff matches are at risk. No doubt, FIFA will be keeping an eye on the security operation at Wednesday’s game and on developments across the country over the coming days and weeks, but Mexico’s World Cup hosting status seems assured for now.
All factual details above are drawn from the available local coverage of the decisions, team movements and security measures surrounding the Querétaro friendly and the wider unrest affecting multiple venues.
