This year’s global football tournament, FIFA World Cup, is set to be hosted in three countries, USA, Canada and Mexico.

The tournament is scheduled to start in June and the first match will be played in Mexico, at the country’s historic Estadio Azteca.

However, the recent unrest in Mexico, particularly in the capital by drug cartel members following the killing of one of their leaders, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera has raised concerns about the safety of tourists, fans and even citizens during the games scheduled to be hosted in Mexico.

At least 74 people were killed during the operation to capture him at a ranch near Guadalajara and subsequent clashes between the security forces and suspected cartel members.

Only one was a civilian, according to the government, but residents and tourists alike were left scurrying for cover as cartel gunmen blocked roads in 20 of Mexico’s 32 states and torched vehicles and businesses.

Responding to fans and stakeholders concerns, leader of the governing body of FIFA, Gianni Infantino explained that he is certain Mexico remains safe to host the game despite the chaos and unrest.

“Very reassured, everything’s good. It’s going to be spectacular,” Infantino said in the Colombian city of Barranquilla.

How many matches will be played in Mexico?

Mexico will host a total of 13 matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These games will be spread across three stadiums in three different cities. The legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will stage five matches, including the prestigious opening game on June 11, 2026, where Mexico will play.

The Estadio Akron in Guadalajara will host four matches, all of which are group stage fixtures. Similarly, the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey will also host four matches, again all in the group stage.

This means Mexico City will see matches played five times, while Guadalajara and Monterrey will each stage four games.

‘No risk’ to football fans - Authorities say, but how about citizens, others

“It feels like we’re in a war zone,” Javier Perez, a 41-year-old engineer, told AFP on Tuesday in the parking lot of a grocery store replete with burnt-out cars in the Jalisco tourist resort of Puerto Vallarta.

The images of anarchy and violence were beamed around the world less than four months before the start of the World Cup, while FIFA on Monday refused to comment.

However, Infantino’s optimism was not reflected by the Portuguese Football Federation, who cast doubt on whether their team would play a friendly on 29 March in Mexico City.

The federation said it was “closely monitoring the delicate situation currently unfolding in Mexico.”

It added that the safety of players, coaches and supporters was a top priority and security considerations would be the deciding factor.

Mexico national team coach Javier Aguirre was more upbeat, declaring: “All is going ahead as planned.”

Earlier, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that there was “no risk” to World Cup fans and said the situation was “gradually returning to normal.”

Meanwhile, the FIFA World Cup is set to see approximately five to ten million people in attendance, according to the president of the football governing body, Gianni Infantino.

Speaking at a joint press briefing with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 17 November, he noted that the tournament is expected to attract millions of people across the three countries set to host the games next year.

“Millions of fans will be coming. One of the things I’ve observed in America is that the stadiums here are really built for people to have fun, to enjoy, to spend time. They don’t just watch the game and leave — they stay for hours, and I think that’s exactly what we need. We need occasions that bring people together from all over the world.”

The USA is giving priority access to fans, the Whitehouse has announced.

People from all over the World will travel to support their countries. Consequently, the Whitehouse has announced that fans set to travel for the tournament to the USA will be given the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (Pass), given that most of the matches will be played there.

The FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) is a special visa‑interview scheduling program created by the U.S. government and FIFA for the 2026 World Cup. It gives ticket holders priority access to U.S. visa appointments, ensuring fans can travel to matches in North America despite existing visa backlogs.

Speaking during a joint press briefing with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 17 November, President Donald Trump mentioned that “I’ve directed my administration to do everything within their power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success.”

Detailing how the ‘World’ will gain access into the US, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that,ticket-holders for the tournament, set for next June and July in the US, Canada and Mexico, will not be automatically granted a tourist visa.

But foreign nationals with tickets to World Cup football matches could get an interview at an embassy or consulate within six to eight weeks of applying, Rubio said.

“Your ticket is not a visa; it doesn’t guarantee admission to the US. We’re going to do the same vetting as anybody else would get. The only difference here is we’re moving them up in the queue,” the Secretary noted.

The FIFA president also noted that “With this FIFA Pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket, who are legitimate football fans or soccer fans, can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions, starting from getting their visa”.

The announcement of priority visa appointments has been welcomed by many, including the US Travel Association, a tourism industry trade group. “The expedited process for FIFA ticket-holders adds needed efficiency without sacrificing security. This is the kind of practical action that strengthens security, increases capacity and cuts wait times, putting the U.S. on a stronger footing to welcome millions of visitors next year,” the group’s CEO, Geoff Freeman, said in a statement.