FIFA could move World Cup from Mexico using little-known contract clause

FIFA do have the power to move 2026 FIFA World Cup matches away from Mexico amid concerns related to ongoing cartel-related violence in the country ahead of the tournament.

Mexico, alongside the US and Canada, will host the 2026 tournament, with the nation set to take on South Africa in Mexico City in the first match of the competition on 11 June.

However, just 105 days from the start of the tournament, widespread violence has broken out throughout Mexico following the death of the country’s most wanted man and drug lord, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes – otherwise known as “El Mencho”.

Guadalajara, the capital city of the state of Jalisco, where the violence began, is set to host four World Cup matches, while five will take place in Mexico City and four in Monterrey.

The cartel leader died in custody on Sunday (22 February) after a security operation. Four members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) also died, while members of the Mexican army sustained injuries.

This led to the CJNG retaliating by setting vehicles alight, as well as engaging in violence against Mexican authorities.

Estadio Guadalajara is set to host four World Cup matches (Credit:Getty)

At least 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard were killed during exchanges on Sunday, while violence has continued to spread fear across the nation through this week.

Also on Sunday, at least 23 inmates escaped from a prison in Puerto Vallarta after armed men rammed the gates with a car.

Despite concerns among fans, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that “everything’s good” before FIFA released a statement on Tuesday (24 February).

As per The Athletic, a spokesperson said: “At FIFA Mexico, we are closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain in constant communication 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.”

What needs to happen for FIFA to justify moving World Cup matches?

According to the 2026 FIFA World Cup regulations, the organisation has the right to “cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matches (or the entire FIFA World Cup 26) for any reason at its sole discretion, including as a result of force majeure or due to health, safety or security concerns”.

Force majeure is defined as an event such as war, crime or any other unforeseen circumstance which prevents someone or an organisation from fulfilling something set out in a legal agreement.

Speaking to SPORTbible earlier this month, Jack Anderson, Professor of Sports Law at the University of Melbourne, explained how FIFA stripping a nation or city of hosting rights is “unlikely” but still possible.

He explained that “under the contracts in place, FIFA has broad powers to unilaterally terminate the arrangement with the host country and city”, but only if they could justify an ‘extraordinary’ ground for termination.

It must be noted that there is nothing to suggest FIFA will strip Mexico of the tournament’s hosting rights at this time.