Mexico Vs Iceland: Friendly to Proceed in Queretaro Despite Cartel Violence and Security Scrutiny
The mexico vs iceland friendly scheduled for Wednesday at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro is expected to proceed after Mexico trained on Monday and federation officials indicated the match would go ahead, even as the country contends with unrest following the killing of a major cartel leader.
Mexico Vs Iceland: match status and safety assurances
Mexico's national team completed a previously scheduled training session in Queretaro on Monday, and a source from the Mexican federation indicated the game was expected to take place as planned at the Corregidora Stadium (Estadio Corregidora). Coach Javier Aguirre said the federation had promised that everyone would be safe for the friendly, and he portrayed the squad as calm and focused on sport while preparing for the match.
Security and unrest after the killing of El Mencho
The instability followed the killing on Sunday of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed El Mencho, the leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación. That targeted attack by the Mexican army prompted widespread backlash from members of the group: individuals burned cars and blocked roads in protest, and cartel members blocked roads and burned vehicles in nearly a dozen states across Mexico.
Domestic football disruptions and local impacts
The unrest forced the FMF to postpone Liga MX fixtures, including the Sunday's match between Queretaro and Juarez FC, and a women's league match between Chivas and America in Liga MX Femenil. Those postponements cast doubt over Wednesday's friendly, but team activity in Queretaro continued and match organizers moved forward with plans.
FIFA monitoring, reports and World Cup implications
FIFA has requested reports from Mexico on the security situation that affected the country and is closely monitoring events that transpired Sunday and Monday, with particular attention on Guadalajara, Jalisco. Guadalajara is scheduled to be one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup and is set to host four games in June, including two involving South Korea; Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia are also slated to play matches there.
Internal documents sent from the Mexican federation to FIFA headquarters in Zurich summarized the events that occurred between Sunday and the early hours of Monday so the governing body can determine whether any security issues exist and take next steps. For now, there are no signs or indications that Mexico's ability to host the World Cup or the interconfederation playoff matches is at risk.
Interconfederation playoffs and the path to the World Cup
Before the summer tournament, Monterrey and Guadalajara are set to host FIFA interconfederation playoff matches in March that will determine two of the remaining six participants at the World Cup. Bolivia, Suriname, New Caledonia, Jamaica, Iraq and DR Congo are all set to compete in those playoffs.
Coach comments, ticketing and related friendlies
Coach Javier Aguirre emphasized sensitivity to the situation and relayed that federation officials had assured the team of safety at Estadio Corregidora. Aguirre described the players as calm, relaxed and concentrating on football. Tickets for Wednesday's game are sold out, with a crowd of more than 30, 000 expected inside the stadium.
Aguirre also expressed hope for the upcoming Mexico City friendly against Portugal on March 28, though Portugal's federation said it was evaluating the situation. The Portugal match reportedly could feature Cristiano Ronaldo.
Leadership response and national preparedness
FIFA's president has publicly expressed confidence in Mexico's preparations for the 2026 World Cup, saying the organization is analyzing and monitoring the current situation while expressing trust in Mexico's authorities, including the national government leadership. He emphasized that governments, police and authorities are expected to ensure order and security for major events.
Security context and cartel profile
The Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación is described as the most powerful cartel in Mexico, with an estimated 19, 000 members and operations spanning 21 of the country's 31 states and Mexico City. It has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. The killing of its leader sparked the recent disruptions and prompted scrutiny of public-safety protocols ahead of major international fixtures.
Information from a news agency was used in this report. Details on the evolving situation remain subject to official updates; further developments may affect scheduling or security arrangements.
