MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican president claudia sheinbaum I met with the FIFA president on Monday. Gianni Infantino to assess the preparation of 2026 world cupwhich will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada in June and July.
Scheinbaum said on his social media accounts that he had breakfast with Infantino at the National Palace “as we evaluate everything for the next World Cup”, adding: “Everything will be great.”
The tournament will open on June 11th with an iconic competition. aztec stadium The match between the hosts and South Africa will be held in Mexico City.
Last Saturday, a friendly match between Mexico and Portugal was held at the Mexico City Stadium as part of the World Cup preparations. The event was marred by the death of a fan who fell from the second floor of the VIP box area to the first floor.
“This inauguration will be historic and exceptional,” Sheinbaum said as he held a FIFA pennant alongside Infantino.
FIFA’s president echoed Sheinbaum’s sentiments, guaranteeing that the World Cup will be a “success for Mexico.”
Infantino has been in Mexico since last week, playing in two Intercontinental Cup playoff games in Guadalajara and Monterrey. He was also in Mexico City over the weekend for an event organized by the Mexican Football Federation.
concerns arose This follows violent incidents in several Mexican cities on February 22, following the arrest and death of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho”, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in the southern state of Jalisco.
Cities affected by the wave of violence included Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, one of Mexico’s three host cities for the World Cup, as well as Mexico City and Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo Leon state.
Mexico is scheduled to host 13 World Cup matches.
In early March, Mexican authorities announced a World Cup security plan known as Plan Kukulkan, which would involve about 100,000 federal and local military and police personnel.
The plan includes specialized training for officials, planning and operational training, early warning systems and safety measures around stadiums, airports, roads and hotels.
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