MEXICO CITY (AP) — FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Thursday he spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and that he has “full confidence” in Mexico as a host country for this year's World Cup soccer tournament despite violent incidents following the death of a powerful drug lord that left at least 70 people dead.
Last Sunday, the Mexican army killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho”, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CNGJ) sparking several days of violence. Cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states.
“I had an excellent conversation earlier today with Mexico president, Claudia Sheinbaum,” Infantino said. “I reiterated our full confidence in the host country and look forward to it staging all scheduled matches there at what will be the most inclusive and the greatest FIFA World Cup ever.”
Mexico is set to host 13 World Cup matches, four of them in the western city of Guadalajara, in the Jalisco state, the central hub for the Jalisco cartel.
“I spoke by phone with FIFA President Gianni Infantino; we continue working as usual to successfully host the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Sheinbaum posted on X. “We reaffirm our confidence in the country."
Sheinbaum has vowed this week there was “no risk” for visitors, but on Thursday the World Cup diving event set to be held in a Guadalajara suburb next week was canceled over security concerns.
Earlier in the week the Portuguese soccer federation said it was “closely monitoring the delicate situation” ahead of a friendly match against Mexico’s national team in Mexico City.
Infantino said earlier this week in Colombia that he was convinced that "everything will go as smoothly as possible.”
Besides the four World Cup matches, the western city of Guadalajara is scheduled to host an international playoff in late March. New Caledonia will play Jamaica and the winner will face Congo for a spot in the tournament.
The president of the Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts, said this week that his organization is closely monitoring the situation in Mexico ahead of the Reggae Boyz’ scheduled international matches next month.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum gives her the daily, morning news conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, the day after the Mexican army killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho." (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A cyclist rides past an installation promoting the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Guadalajara, Mexico, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
NEW YORK (AP) — Tamar Braxton opened a spirited 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony Thursday night with a tribute to a new inductee — the game-changing R&B songwriter, producer and rapper Christopher “Tricky” Stewart — with one of the biggest songs he's known for: Beyoncé's “Single Ladies.”
A few other tracks he's responsible for? Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Mariah Carey's “Touch My Body” and Justin Bieber's “Baby.”
Dallas Austin, a songwriter and producer known for work with Boyz ll Men and Madonna, introduced Stewart. “Think about that catalog,” he said, listing off those zeitgeist-shifting records. “Those are cultural moments."
Stewart thanked God, his family, artists he's worked with and mentors — giving a special shout out to Grammy award-winning music producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid and the iconic singer-songwriter Babyface. “I wanted to be like L.A. and Baby,” he reflected.
It set the tone for an event with a lot to celebrate. The gala, held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, also features a wide variety of inductees: Taylor Swift, Kiss’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, the songwriting duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (known for Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It"), and songwriter Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You").
Swift has no doubt brought new eyes to this year's ceremony, and with good reason — her songwriting has undeniably shaped contemporary pop music trends. She is the youngest woman to ever be inducted in the Hall of Fame. (The man who beat her? Stevie Wonder, who started his recording career at 13, it was announced on stage.)
Kiss founders Simmons and Stanley — fresh off the band’s farewell — will also be recognized for their glam rock classics “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Love It Loud.”
In addition to Swift, Simmons and Stanley, nominees this year include the soft rock legend Loggins (“Footloose,” “Danny’s Song”) and the alt-rock icon Morissette (“You Oughta Know,” “Ironic”).
Last year's inductees included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, The Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Tony Macaulay.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. Some already in the hall include Gloria Estefan, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond and Phil Collins.
Taylor Swift attends the 55th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Tamar Braxton performs during the 55th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Sombr, left, and Taylor Swift attend the 55th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Paul Stanley of Kiss attends the 55th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Kenny Loggins attends the 55th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Sombr, from left, Taylor Swift, and Jimmy Jam attend the 55th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
This combination of images shows songwriters, from left, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Taylor Swift. (AP Photo)
