FIFA reviews security conditions in Mexico ahead of 2026 World Cup

January 7, 2026 Oliver Obel

FIFA has requested updated security information from Mexican organisers regarding Guadalajara, one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup, according to reporting by Spanish sports daily Marca.

The request comes as preparations move into a decisive phase, with fewer than six months remaining before the opening match at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. FIFA has not suggested that venue changes are imminent, but such inquiries typically intensify as tournament deadlines approach.

Violent attack draws renewed focus

International attention sharpened after the killing of businessman Adrián Corona, president of Grupo Corona, who was shot dead in Guadalajara in recent months. Marca reported that the attack involved multiple vehicles, dozens of armed attackers and hundreds of spent shell casings, underlining the scale of organised crime violence behind the assault.

Guadalajara, like many major Mexican cities, has faced cartel-related violence for years. Several media outlets noted that what distinguished the Corona killing was the degree to which it resonated internationally at a time of heightened scrutiny over World Cup security.

Questions from Zurich

According to Marca, FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich sent a series of formal questions to local organisers seeking details on how security risks are being managed and what coordination is underway with federal and state authorities.

FIFA declined to comment publicly. Still, the reported inquiries stand out because they focus on the broader security environment rather than matchday operations alone, suggesting a wider review of conditions surrounding the venue.

Historically, FIFA has demanded extensive security guarantees from host nations, particularly in the final months before a tournament, though it has rarely removed venues once preparations reach this stage.

Political rhetoric adds another layer

The discussion has also unfolded against a backdrop of political rhetoric in the United States. Former US president Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that drug cartels “rule Mexico” and has previously raised the possibility of military action against cartel strongholds in states including Sinaloa, Michoacán and Guerrero.

While Jalisco was not mentioned in those remarks, the state is widely known as the birthplace of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organisations. Until recently, Guadalajara’s status as a World Cup host had not been publicly questioned.

Wider security concerns near stadium

Separately, Mexican media have reported the discovery of hundreds of bags containing human remains in areas near Estadio Akron, the stadium scheduled to host World Cup matches. Authorities have not linked the findings to any specific threat against the tournament, but the reports have added to unease around the city’s security outlook.

Mexican officials continue to say that all host cities meet FIFA’s requirements. For now, Guadalajara remains on the tournament schedule, alongside venues in the United States and Canada that have also faced periodic security challenges. Whether confidence in the city holds is likely to depend on how convincingly organisers can reassure football’s governing body in the months ahead.

Sources: Marca, FIFA

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