World Cup
Mexico’s president says ‘no risk’ for 2026 World Cup fans
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday there was “no risk” to fans coming to the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after violence erupted following the capture and death of Mexico’s most-wanted cartel leader, notably in Jalisco state.
Sheinbaum said “all the guarantees” for safety were in place for the top international soccer tournament, which is expected to draw hordes of fans from around the world to matches in Mexico City, Monterrey and Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara.
She said during her daily morning press conference, the situation was normalising, with security forces working to safeguard the public, after loyalists of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera set up roadblocks and torched buses and stores across the country in retaliation for his slaying in a military raid on Sunday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino told reporters on Tuesday that he was feeling “very calm” about Mexico hosting this summer’s tournament. “Everything is going to be spectacular,” he said.
A spokesperson for FIFA said the organisation was closely monitoring the situation and was in close contact with the authorities.
“We will continue to follow the actions and directions from the different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy, and we reiterate our close collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities,” the spokesperson said.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus on Tuesday reaffirmed the state’s participation in the tournament and confirmed a series of upcoming events in the region.
“There is absolutely no intention on FIFA’s part to remove any venues from Mexico. The three venues remain completely firm,” Lemus said.
Mexico is set to host 13 of 104 World Cup matches. Four of these are set to be held in Guadalajara. It will also host some preliminary warm-up matches before the tournament opens on June 11.
Local Mexican leagues postponed some matches that had been scheduled for Sunday, the day cartel members coordinated a series of violent attacks across the country in the aftermath of an operation to capture Oseguera, known as “El Mencho”.
Sheinbaum has largely followed the political map of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who prioritised alleviating poverty and other root causes of violence, adopting a slogan of “hugs not bullets.”
Asked whether the killing of Oseguera marked a break from that policy, Sheinbaum said this would never be the case.
“The detention of a suspected criminal with an arrest warrant can generate this type of circumstance, but we are looking for peace, not war,” she said.
The arrests of other top cartel figures in Sinaloa state have, in recent years, also triggered cartel retaliation, including shootouts and vehicles set on fire.
-Reuters
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
England will look to secure their place in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds when they take on Ghana in a Group-stage clash that could also see captain Harry Kane write another chapter in the nation’s football history.
Kane enters the match level with Gary Lineker as England’s highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history, with 10 goals apiece. A goal against Ghana would see the Bayern Munich striker become England’s outright leading marksman on football’s biggest stage.
The Three Lions will, however, face a Ghanaian side that has developed a reputation for attacking football at the World Cup. The Black Stars have scored in eight of their last nine matches in the competition and will be confident of troubling England’s defence.
With both sides chasing valuable points, the encounter promises an intriguing battle between England’s experience and Ghana’s flair and resilience.
For Kane, the match presents an opportunity to add another record to a glittering international career. For Ghana, it offers the chance to claim a statement victory against one of the tournament favourites.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
Croatia captain Luka Modrić is poised to reach another remarkable milestone when the Vatreni face Panama in their latest FIFA World Cup fixture.
The veteran midfielder is expected to make his 200th international appearance, becoming one of the few players in world football to achieve the feat. The landmark match further underlines the enduring influence of the Real Madrid legend, who continues to be the heartbeat of the Croatian team.
Croatia will start as favourites against a Panama side still searching for a breakthrough result against European opposition at the World Cup. The Central Americans previously faced Belgium and England during their debut campaign in Russia in 2018 and lost both encounters.
Panama will be eager to upset the odds and keep their hopes alive, but Croatia’s blend of experience and tournament know-how makes them formidable opponents.
All eyes, however, will be on Modrić as he celebrates a historic personal milestone while seeking to guide his country another step closer to the knockout phase.
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World Cup
One dead, eight injured in stampede in Jordan as fans watched World Cup match, says Jordan News Agency
One person died, and eight others were injured after a stampede during a crowded gathering of fans in central Amman to watch Jordan’s World Cup match against Algeria early on Tuesday, Jordan News Agency reported, citing the country’s Public Security Directorate (PSD).
The incident occurred at Hashemite Square, where large numbers of fans had gathered in the capital to watch Jordan’s 2-1 defeat to Algeria, according to the Jordan News Agency.
Emergency teams transported nine injured people to the hospital after heavy congestion and crowd movement at the venue led to the crush. One of those injured later died, while the others sustained minor to moderate injuries, it reported citing the PSD.
Experts were investigating to determine the exact cause of death, it added.
Large crowds of spectators had gathered across the capital to follow the match, with Jordan competing in their first World Cup.
-Reuters
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Kane Eyes World Cup Scoring Record as England Face Dangerous Ghana
Modrić Set for 200th Croatia Cap Against Ambitious Panama
One dead, eight injured in stampede in Jordan as fans watched World Cup match, says Jordan News Agency
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