The violence in Mexico after the killing of drug lord El Mencho that left at least 70 people dead has overshadowed the excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 that the country is co-hosting.
Nemesio Ruben Osegueara, commonly known as El Mencho, was a drug lord and the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, an organised crime group. The 59-year-old was captured and killed in Tapalpa on Feb. 22 earlier this week. Following his killing, his cartel members have resorted to arson and retribution against people they think were responsible for the killing of their leader. The government has issued a "red alert" for Guadalajara, the area worst hit by violence.
The mood in the football crazy country has shifted and the excitement for the World Cup has been replaced with anxiousness and anticipation. Questions on whether Mexico is safe to host the World Cup between June 11 and July 19 are being asked loud and clear.
In such a scenario, if FIFA were to exercise its unilateral power to relocate the Mexico-matches to any other location, the economic and brand damage to the country would be catastrophic. The World Cup already has two other co-hosts — the United States and Canada — and it won't be much of a surprise if the Mexico matches are shifted.
What would be the cost for Mexico if that happens?
Staggering Direct Economic Fallout
The World Cup is expected to inject $3 billion to Mexico, according to the Mexican Soccer Federation, which is roughly 0.14% of the country's gross domestic product. The fact that the money is going to be concentrated in just three cities — Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — makes the impact profound.
Also Read: Mexican Army Kills Top Drug Kingpin 'El Mencho' And Several Others
Tourism, Hospitality
The country, days ahead, was gearing up to receive more than 5.5 million visitors during the World Cup, according to a report by the Tourism and Society Think Tank. The intake would have spiked the hotel revenue considerably. If the World Cup is taken out of Mexico, all these tourism and hospitality earnings will vanish.
Infrastructure Costs
Renovations, stadium upgrades, transportation, airport connectivity and logistics — the country has already spent billions in getting the house ready and be the better host. All this investment, already made, will have no reciprocal earnings, and the brunt will fall upon the taxpayer.
Jobs The World Cup Brings In
The FIFA World Cup is set to create an estimated 100,000–112,000 jobs in different sectors, including hospitality, transportation and more. All these jobs will disappear if the World Cup is moved elsewhere, Tourism and Society Think Tank stated.
Brand Damage
The World Cup, beyond the immediate numbers, helps build the host country's brand. It becomes a reason for the country to globally showcase its stability and modernisation, with subsequent benefits of investments and a tourism boost.
A withdrawal of the World Cup from Mexico will mean negative publicity and the risk of damaging "brand Mexico" in the process.
The violence continues, particularly in Guadalajara, which is one of the host cities, and Mexicans have their fingers crossed over the fate of their hosting rights.
The Good News!
The good news, though, comes from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has said that he was "very reassured" about Mexico hosting games in the upcoming football World Cup.
"Very reassured, everything's good. It's going to be spectacular,” Infantino said in the Colombian city of Barranquilla on Tuesday.
Earlier, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that there was "no risk" to World Cup fans and said the situation was "gradually returning to normal".
The opening match in the country will be played between the hosts, Mexico, and South Africa on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium, if everything goes as planned.
Also Read: Mexico Drug Lord Killed: Who Was El Mencho And How Much Did He Earn? All You Need To Know
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