For the Mexican Football Federation, the duel vs. Portugal remains unchanged
The Mexican Football Federation had to clarify that the match against Portugal is still scheduled for March 28th at the reopening of the Azteca Stadium
The Mexican Football Federation clarified that the match against Portugal remains unchanged for March 28 at the reopening of the Azteca Stadium (Banorte), despite uncertainty that the match could be canceled following the violence after the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho”.
Mexican football authorities had remained silent regarding the escalating violence generated by the capture and death of the criminal “El Mencho”, leader of the Jalisco New Generation criminal group, which has infected all levels of law enforcement and the fight against crime in Mexico.
“The Mexican Football Federation and the Portuguese Football Federation clarify that it is their mutual desire for the 2026 World Cup preparation match to be held in Mexico on March 28,” was the brief message published by Mexican football authorities, who had remained silent on these events for the previous 36 hours.
The announcement from the Mexican national team authorities was due to growing uncertainty in Portugal regarding travel conditions to Mexico for the March 28 match after the capture of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” following a major operation in the town of Tapalapa, a few kilometers from the city of Guadalajara.
The Portuguese national team's management questioned their participation until they received assurances from their Mexican counterparts that their presence in Mexico would not be affected by the recent events that have generated a wave of international uncertainty, such as the insecurity experienced at airports throughout Mexico, including Mexico City's international airport. The Portuguese remain firmly committed to traveling to Mexico for this match.But they will be monitoring how the level of violence remains on Mexican soil following this decision to put a stop to the criminal activities of the aforementioned drug trafficker Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho,” which resulted in his death in a confrontation with state forces during a gun battle on the border of Jalisco state."Recent events require ongoing evaluation of the conditions associated with the FPF delegation's travel. In this context, the Portuguese government's guidance is fundamental and crucial for monitoring the situation," the Portuguese explained in a statement.