Although none of Germany's group-stage matches at next summer's World Cup are to be played in Mexico, government officials in Berlin are already thinking about the impact the recent clashes between security forces and suspected members of a drug cartel could have on the men's national team.

"FIFA must work with the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico to ensure that fans are not endangered and that the host countries comply with safety regulations," Christoph Ploss, the German government's tourism coordinator, told the Handelsblatt newspaper.

He also stressed that protecting German tourists was a "very high priority" for Berlin.

Germany's Foreign Office is among the national authorities of many countries, which have updated their travel advisories for Mexico. It now urgently advises its citizens to avoid travel to affected areas in the country and calling on Germans in the country to shelter indoors.

More than 70 killed in clashes

The advisory was issued shortly after the news broke of the killing of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes or "El Mencho" by security forces on Monday – and the ensuing clashes that have left more than 70 people killed.

Following reports of his death, suspected cartel members also blockaded highways with burning cars ⁠and torched businesses in more than ​half a dozen states. No civilian deaths were reported.

Cervantes was the head of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Carte. Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is slated to host four World Cup matches. Guadalajara's Estadio Akron is one of three Mexican venues set to host World Cup matches this summer. The stadium is also to host playoff matches between Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia from ‌March 26 to 31.

Mexico home to 13 World Cup matches

In total, world football's governing body, FIFA, has scheduled 13 matches to be played in Mexico, including the prestigious opening match in the capital on June 11. The bulk of the 104 matches are to be played in the United States (78), with Canada hosting the remaining 13.

The current wave of violence has foreign governments worried about sending their teams and fans to Mexico, and has locals concerned about how the violence could impact their businesses.

'It will have an impact'

Maria Dolores Aguirre, who owns a corner shop in the town of Tapalpa in Jalasco state, told the Associated Press that her business is highly dependent on tourism.

"The government is going to have to have a lot of security. I think it will have an impact because everyone just saw what happened and, of course, people are going to think twice about coming," she said. "Yes, it will have an impact."

The violence has already had a major effect on football in the country, with four matches in the top divisions of the women's and men's leagues called off on Sunday.

Iceland friendly under tight security

Meanwhile, a friendly between the Mexico national team against Iceland at Queretaro went ahead under high security but without incident on Wednesday, with the home side winning 4-0.  

According to media reports, six security rings had been set up around the Corregidora Stadium.

 "Mexico, with excellent coordination between all parties involved and the exemplary behaviour of the fans, demonstrated today its ability to organise football matches and provide all the necessary security guarantees," the Mexican FA (FMF) said in a statement following the match.

Infantino: 'Complete confidence in Mexico'

Until the violence that broke out in Mexico on Monday, most of FIFA's concerns will have been about the main host, the United States, which has faced calls for a fan boycott, largely over the actions of ICE immigration officers in places like Minnesota.

As for Mexico, with more than three months still to go before the World Cup kicks off, FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees little reason for concern. 

"Of course, we are monitoring the situation in Mexico these days, but I want to say from the outset that we have complete confidence in Mexico, in its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will go as smoothly as possible," Infantino told a press conference in Colombia on Tuesday.

So far, the German Football Association (DFB) isn't panicking either.

"Let's hope this war-like situation calms down quickly and doesn't escalate further," Andreas Rettig, the DFB's managing director told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper. "My thoughts are with all of the Mexicans suffering due to the unrest."

This article was originally published on February 24, 2026. It was updated on February 26, 2026 to include the FIFA president's reaction and the outcome of Mexico's friendly against Iceland.

Edited by: Jonathan Harding