Mexican president issues statement on World Cup security after gunman opens fire at tourist site

The Mexican government has promised to enhance security measures ahead of the 2026 World Cup after a man opened fire on tourists at an attraction near Mexico City, one of the tournament's host cities.

On Monday (April 20), a lone gunman killed a Canadian tourist and injured several others when he opened fire from atop the Teotihuacan pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mexican officials said he fired 14 shots at the victims, as well as at National Guard military police.

He also shot himself, according to authorities.

This has prompted further questions about the safety of visitors ahead of the World Cup, which Mexico will co-host alongside the US and Canada, with the tournament less than three months away.

The opening match of the competition will be played in Mexico City on June 11, with Mexico facing South Africa in a repeat of the 2010 tournament’s opener.

On Tuesday, Mexican President Sheinbaum admitted that the site of the shooting lacked the security required to prevent such an attack, before describing it as “an isolated incident”.

“Our obligation as a government is to take the appropriate measures to ensure that a situation like this does not happen again. But clearly, we all know – Mexicans know – that this is something that had not previously taken place,” Sheinbaum said on Tuesday morning.

Mexican authorities previously stressed that they were enhancing security measures ahead of the World Cup after cartel violence spread across the nation following the death of Mexican drug lord “El Mencho” – formerly Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes – in February.

Mexico's stance on World Cup security

Sheinbaum has also met with FIFA officials to evaluate security measures related to World Cup matches in Mexico.

The government has already pledged to deploy 100,000 security personnel across the country, with a focus on the three host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Drones, aircraft and military vehicles will also be in place near the stadiums and transport routes, including airports.

“As you can see, we are very prepared for the World Cup,” Sheinbaum said last month.

Also last month, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “I want to say from the outset that we have total confidence in Mexico, in President Claudia Sheinbaum, in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will turn out in the best possible way.

“As in every country in the world, things happen, which is why we have states, police and authorities who will ensure order and security. From my side, and from FIFA’s side, I have absolute confidence.

“The authorities have more important things to talk about than football today, but football is part of Mexico and we are fully supporting President Sheinbaum, who shares that passion for football. Go Mexico, and go with this celebration that will be for the whole world.”

Mexico will host 13 of the 104 matches set to be contested in the World Cup.