March 9 – World Cup co-hosts Mexico have promised to deploy 100,000 World Cup security personnel to protect this summer’s World Cup following a spike in cartel violence.
‘Plan Kukulkan’ will mobilise the security personnel to ensure smooth operations in the three host cities of Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara and nearby tourist destinations. That includes 20,000 military personnel, 55,000 police officers and around 2,500 military and civilian vehicles.
Recently, Guadalajara has seen serious drug violence. The Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel, one of the country’s most feared criminal organisations, has been involved in gun shootouts with the Mexican military, blocked roads and burned vehicles in response to the killing of its leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes – known as ‘El Mencho’ – in an army operation. El Mencho was the country’s most wanted man and sought by the United States.
But the Mexican government as well as FIFA have said that the violence will not affect the World Cup. Last month, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino said he felt reassured that the Mexicans could still host a spectacular World Cup.
General Román Villalvazo will oversee Plan Kukulkan and security operations during the tournament. Last week, Mexican authorities met with FIFA representatives as well as representatives of the host cities to coordinate security plans. President Claudia Sheinbaum (pictured) also visited the state of Jalisco to offer reassurance. The UK government advice reads: “FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to parts of the State of Jalisco.”
The co-hosts will kick off the tournament against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium on June 11. South Korea, Uzbekistan, Colombia, Tunisia, Japan, Uruguay and Spain are all scheduled to play in Mexico in the group stages. The co-hosts will also stage three knockout games.
Mexico playoffs in March threatened
This month, Mexico will also stage the World Cup playoffs, though doubt has been cast over whether they will all be able to take place in full following the disruption to commercial air traffic of the escalating US-Israeli war against Iran.
The Iraqis are scheduled to face either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey on March 31 with the winner clinching a World Cup berth.
The Iraqi FA has requested a suspension because of the dangerous travel difficulties and fear they may struggle to transport players and staff to Mexico because the neighbouring conflict. FIFA has suggested the first past of their journey could be a 24-hour trip to Turkey by coach from Baghdad to Istanbul through the north of Iraq that has been under attack by the Iranians.
As well as the dangers of making the journey, the Iraqis have said it is not feasible if they are to be competitive.
Iraq manager Graham Arnold, who is stranded in the UAE, has said that without half the squad that is based in Baghdad, and replacing them with overseas players, would severely and unfairly weaken their chances of qualification.
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