MEXICO CITY (AP) — The violence that erupted in Mexico after the death of a powerful drug lord has left many questioning whether the country will be able to co-host the World Cup in just over three months.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino thinks it can.
“Of course, we are monitoring the situation in Mexico these days, but I want to say from the outset that we have complete confidence in Mexico, in its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will go as smoothly as possible,” Infantino said late Tuesday in a press conference in Colombia.
“Mexico is a great country, like in every country in the world, things happen; we don’t live on the moon or another planet,” Infantino added. “That’s why we have governments, police, and authorities who will ensure order and security.”
The Mexican army killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, on Sunday, sparking several days of violence. Cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states and authorities report that at least 70 people have died.
Four high-level soccer matches from the local leagues were postponed last Sunday, including one in the central city of Queretaro, where Mexico is scheduled to play against Iceland late Wednesday in a friendly match.
Thirteen World Cup matches are scheduled to be held in Mexico, including the opening game in Mexico City on June 11 between the co-host and South Africa. Guadalajara, the central hub for the Jalisco cartel, is scheduled to host four.
Colombia is set to play one game in Mexico City and one in Guadalajara.
“Our first two matches are in Mexico, but we know they will overcome this and move forward,” said Ramón Jesurún, the president of the Colombian Soccer Federation. “I have absolute and total confidence in my geopolitical thinking that this is an issue Mexico will overcome, and overcome very quickly.”
Other nations have expressed more concern. The Portuguese soccer federation said Tuesday that it was closely monitoring developments ahead of a planned friendly against Mexico in March. Jamaica is set to play New Caledonia in Guadalajara on March 26 in an intercontinental playoff semifinal, with the winner advancing to face Congo for a World Cup spot.
“The games are at the end of March, so we still have another month to see what happens; but it is making me very nervous, to be honest,” said Michael Ricketts, the president of the Jamaican Soccer Federation. "We will be listening out for CONCACAF and FIFA to give us instructions (on) whether they are playing the games or whether they are immediately looking for other options.”
Another Mexican city, Monterrey, will host a playoff where Bolivia plays Suriname and the winner faces Iraq for a spot in the tournament.
On Monday, Sheinbaum said there is “every guarantee” that the World Cup matches in Guadalajara will be played as planned and added that there was “no risk.”
“We are in regular contact with the presidency and the authorities in Mexico and we are monitoring the situation,” Infantino said. “The World Cup is going to be an incredible celebration”.
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Akron Stadium, a venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stands in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
Akron Stadium, a venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stands in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
JERUSALEM (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome from Israeli lawmakers on Wednesday at the start of a two-day visit with a promise of “friendship, respect and partnership” with Israel at a time when its world standing has suffered as a result of the war in Gaza.
“Let us ensure that the friendship between India and Israel remains a source of strength in an uncertain world,” Modi said in an address to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, where he received a standing ovation from lawmakers after a 30-minute speech.
The enthusiastic greeting underscored how much closer Israel-India relations have grown under Modi, whose embrace of Israel has marked a shift in the foreign policy of India which has historically supported the Palestinians.
India did not establish full diplomatic ties with Israel until 1992 and Modi's visit aims to strengthen security, economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.
The Indian leader was greeted at the airport with a hug from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who later introduced Modi to the Knesset as “Narendra, my dear friend.”
“I’ve never been more moved than by your visit here with us,” said Netanyahu, calling Modi “a great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Israel-India alliance and a great leader on the world stage.”
The visit is likely to give Israel a boost of international support after seeing relations with many of its allies deteriorate since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.
The Knesset building in Jerusalem had been illuminated in the colors of India's flag on the eve of Modi's arrival. Following his speech to lawmakers, Modi was awarded a medal by Speaker Amir Ohana, who said it recognized Modi's leadership in strengthening relations between India and Israel.
Opposition party lawmakers walked out of the Knesset chamber during speeches by Netanyahu and Ohana, to protest the exclusion from the event of Yitzhak Amit, the chief justice of Israel's Supreme Court.
Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, has sought to overhaul the country's justice system, and his allies refuse to work with the Supreme Court chief.
The opposition returned for Modi's address and the opposition leader, Yair Lapid, assured the Indian leader that the walkout had “nothing to do with you.”
On Thursday, Modi will meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial center. Netanyahu's office said that the two leaders would sign myriad economic, security and political cooperation agreements.
Modi said India is “committed to further consolidating” its relationship with Israel “across many sectors,” including security and the sharing of advances in artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
“We’re committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows and promoting joint infrastructure development,” Modi said.
In addition to being a powerful ally, India is also Israel’s second largest trading partner in Asia. Total trade between India and Israel was valued at $3.6 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, according to India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Modi became the first Indian prime minister to travel to Israel in 2017, and Netanyahu reciprocated with a trip to India the following year.
A staunch Hindu nationalist, Modi was one of the first global leaders to swiftly express solidarity with Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by the Palestinian militant Hamas group that triggered the war in Gaza.
Speaking at the Knesset before Modi took the podium, Netanyahu thanked the Indian leader for that support.
“You didn’t flinch. You didn’t waver. You didn’t give excuses,” Netanyahu said. “You stood next to Israel. You stood by Israel.”
In turn, Modi affirmed India's “strong support” for the U.S. ceasefire plan for Gaza that was endorsed by the U.N. Security Council last year. It lays out plans for ending Hamas' rule, disarming the militant group, rebuilding the territory and withdrawing Israeli troops with only a vague commitment to possible Palestinian statehood.
“We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including the Palestine issue,” Modi said.
Modi made no mention Israel’s newly approved measures to deepen its control over the occupied West Bank. India was among more than 100 countries earlier this month to condemn those measures, which weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority.
Melzer reported from Nahariya, Israel.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israel's Parliament Speaker Amir Ohana presents a medal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , after addressing lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greet children in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Debbie Hill/Pool Photo via AP)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, centre left, poses next to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, centre right, and his wife Sara Netanyahu, foreground right, as he arrives at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to meet with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to receive Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for a delegation-level meeting at Hyderabad house in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
