Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday that he feels “very reassured” about Mexico’s role as a 2026 World Cup host, despite recent violence following the killing of a major drug cartel leader. This marks his first public comments on the unrest.

“Very reassured, everything’s good. It’s going to be spectacular,” Infantino told AFP in Barranquilla, Colombia, just two days after members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) reacted violently to the army’s killing of their leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, including in host city Guadalajara.

Mexico is one of three countries hosting the tournament from June 11 to July 19, alongside the United States and Canada.

The violence, concentrated in Guadalajara and surrounding areas, followed a military operation that killed at least 74 cartel members, with only one civilian casualty reported. Cartel gunmen blocked roads in 20 states, set vehicles and businesses on fire, and caused widespread panic among residents and tourists.

“It feels like we’re in a war zone,” said Javier Perez, a 41-year-old engineer, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Images of the unrest circulated globally just months before the World Cup, while FIFA initially declined to comment.

Earlier, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured the public there was “no risk” to fans attending the tournament and that the situation was “gradually returning to normal.”

Guadalajara will host four group-stage matches, including the highly anticipated Uruguay vs Spain game, and will co-host the March playoff tournament with Monterrey to decide the final World Cup qualifiers. Mexico City is also scheduled to host matches and remained unaffected by the unrest.

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus confirmed there is “absolutely no risk” of Guadalajara being removed from the World Cup schedule. Meanwhile, Queretaro will host a friendly between Mexico and Iceland, with heightened attention following the suspension of a first-division game there over security concerns.

Oseguera, one of the most-wanted criminals in Mexico and the US with a $15 million bounty, co-founded the CJNG in 2009. The cartel has since eclipsed the Sinaloa cartel in size and violence. Mexican authorities confirmed US intelligence assistance in the raid but emphasized that no US personnel were involved.

The aftermath of the unrest has impacted local industry. Japanese carmaker Honda temporarily suspended operations at its Guadalajara assembly plant on February 23, citing security concerns. Mexico, a major hub for automotive production, hosts plants for manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, BMW, and Audi supplying North American and European markets.