FIFA is considering the possibility of relocating the intercontinental playoff matches from Mexico, which are supposed to determine the participants of the 2026 World Cup. The matches of the tournament's final stage, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, are also under threat.
This is reported by The Athletic.
The relocation of matches will be considered if security officials and commercial partners express serious concerns.
On Sunday, February 22, the Mexican Ministry of Defense conducted an operation to capture the leader of the largest cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Ruben Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho.' He died during transport to Mexico City. In response, riots erupted in dozens of cities involving armed confrontations from both cartel-affiliated individuals and law enforcement. This situation has already led to the postponement of several matches in the men's and women's national championships.
The playoff matches for the right to compete in the tournament between the teams of Jamaica, Congo, and New Caledonia are scheduled to take place from March 26 to March 31. The situation is complicated by the fact that tens of thousands of fans have already purchased tickets and booked hotels for the tournament's final stage. In the event of a relocation, FIFA will have to compensate fans for their losses.
Leave a comment