Could Mexico be removed as World Cup 2026 host?

The international press has erupted in criticism over the organization of the World Cup in Mexico. Jeremy Cross, Chief Sports Writer at The Mirror, published a blistering column arguing that FIFA must act immediately and strip Mexico of its World Cup host cities following the recent security crisis sparked by the fall of “El Mencho.”

Under the emphatic headline “FIFA have no choice but to strip Mexico of World Cup games - they must act now,” the English journalist describes it as “unacceptable” that the world’s premier soccer tournament should be staged in cities besieged by drug trafficking. Cross questions whether Mexican authorities can guarantee the safety of visiting fans amid a wave of cartel roadblocks and violence.

The stance taken by The Mirror reflects growing alarmism in Europe, where observers are asking whether FIFA prioritized business over security. Cross argues that the death of the cartel leader has not brought calm but rather chaos, rendering host cities such as Guadalajara unfit to stage an event of this scale and calling for an urgent relocation of games scheduled on Mexican soil.

The reaction adds to unease in other countries watching developments over the past 48 hours with concern. While FIFA remains silent, voices from England are pressing for the 2026 World Cup to be shifted entirely to the United States and Canada, leaving Mexico sidelined over what critics describe as a lack of guarantees.

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