MEXICO CITY (AP) — FIFA Delegates are expected to visit Mexico soon to assess national security and mobility issues. world cupsaid Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday.
The country’s ability to co-host the World Cup is under scrutiny this week after violence erupted after the military killed a powerful drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes on sunday.
The operation and its violent aftermath claimed 70 lives. Cartel members set cars on fire and blocked roads in cities across the country, particularly Jalisco. That includes Guadalajara, which is scheduled to host four World Cup matches.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a phone call with Sheinbaum on Thursday that he had “full confidence” in Mexico to host the World Cup.
Sheinbaum endorsed this during his daily briefing Friday.
“He assured us that the World Cup would be held in our country,” she said. “We have agreed that the FIFA team will definitely come to look at some issues. We have been working on this for a long time, but of course the security issue is particularly important.”
Sheinbaum did not specify the date of the visit.
“I told him (Coach Infantino) that Sunday was a special situation and that he can rest assured that we are back to normal with all the safety measures that have been in place for some time,” she said.
Sheinbaum said things were returning to normal, but security concerns remained in Guadalajara. World Swimming has canceled the Diving World Cup scheduled for next week near Guadalajara.
Scheinbaum said government sports authority CONADE is trying to convince World Swimming to move the event to another city in Mexico.
“We are working with them to bring back this international tournament,” the president added. “We still believe we can get this tournament back.”
As for travel, the three Mexican cities hosting World Cup matches were still trying to resolve the issue nearly 100 days before the first leg, to be played at Azteca Stadium on June 11.
In Mexico City, work is underway to improve the light rail system, the fastest way to get to Aztec. The subway was still under construction in Monterrey. Guadalajara Stadium does not have public transportation, but there is ample parking available.
“(Infantino) also asked me to look at the transportation issues in the three cities to ensure the movement of all the people coming to the stadium, among other issues that we are working on,” Scheinbaum said. Said.
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