With the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America just 10 days away, security concerns in co-host Mexico are drawing renewed attention. The Mexican government has launched a large-scale security operation, but experts warn that structural risks tied to cartel crime and missing persons remain unresolved.
CNN on Monday (local time) analyzed the security situation in Mexico's three World Cup host cities — Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — pointing to the potential for crimes against tourists and threats from organized crime.
The 2026 North American World Cup officially kicks off with the opening match in Mexico City on June 11. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. In Mexico, three cities — Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — will serve as venues.
But concerns over visitor safety are mounting as cartel-related crime and missing persons cases continue to plague the host areas. With millions of foreign tourists expected to visit, the Mexican government plans to deploy approximately 100,000 security personnel across the three host cities under "Plan Kukulkan," named after the serpent god of Mayan mythology.
Experts, however, point out that despite the government's enhanced security measures, the structural risks unique to Mexico remain.
Risk levels vary by host city. Mexico City, which will host five matches including the opener, is considered relatively safe among the host cities. Major cartels have a comparatively limited presence there, and police forces and surveillance systems are concentrated in the area.
By contrast, Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco state, the home base of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico's largest criminal organizations. The region is known not only for cartel violence but also for having the highest number of missing persons cases in the country, leading experts to assess it as the host city requiring the greatest caution.
In fact, around 16,000 disappearances have been reported in Jalisco state, and security problems have persisted, with bodies found near a World Cup stadium within the past year.
Monterrey is also cited as a city with significant organized crime influence. Bordering the United States, it serves as a major drug trafficking corridor. The area is also known for frequent fuel theft, money laundering and clashes between cartels.
The South Korean national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will play all three of its group stage matches in Mexico. The team will face the Czech Republic in its opener in Guadalajara on June 12, then meet host Mexico in Guadalajara again on June 19. The final group stage match is scheduled against South Africa in Monterrey on June 25.
That means the team will play its group stage matches in cities with relatively higher security concerns.
Experts believe that foreign tourists or team delegations are unlikely to become direct targets of organized crime. Victoria Dittmar, a senior researcher at InSight Crime, a Mexico-based crime research institute, said, "Crimes related to organized cartel control are unlikely to occur," adding, "Organized crime groups also profit from tourism, so they will not want to create instability during the tournament."
Still, advisers caution that opportunistic crimes targeting tourists — such as pickpocketing, scams and counterfeit ticket sales — warrant particular vigilance. Teresa Martinez, a professor at Monterrey Institute of Technology, said, "Travel scams, fake tickets and bogus tour products target both domestic and foreign tourists," adding, "It is important to use official sales channels."
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