FIFA maintains Mexico 2026 World Cup venues amid Qatar contingency speculation

As of February 26, 2026, FIFA has not announced any official changes to venues for the 2026 World Cup or its associated intercontinental play-off matches, despite growing speculation about potential contingency plans.

Official position unchanged

Mexico remains a confirmed host nation for the 2026 tournament. The official FIFA schedule continues to list Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara as host cities.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly expressed “complete confidence” in Mexico’s ability to stage the tournament as planned, describing relocation as a “last resort” option.

Security concerns and speculation

Speculation about possible venue adjustments emerged following a surge in violent unrest in parts of Mexico, particularly in the Jalisco region. The instability followed reports surrounding the killing of cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes on February 23, 2026.

While these developments raised security concerns in some quarters, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has insisted there is “no risk” to fans and that comprehensive safety guarantees remain in place for both the main tournament and the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for late March 2026.

Qatar viewed as contingency option

Amid the discussions, Qatar has been identified in media reports as a potential contingency host for the intercontinental play-offs should conditions require relocation. The country’s existing tournament-ready infrastructure from the 2022 World Cup and its stable security environment are cited as key advantages. However, FIFA has not confirmed any shift, and Mexico continues to prepare as scheduled.

Select 2026 World Cup fixtures

• June 11, 2026: Opening match – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

• June 12, 2026: Mexico vs South Africa – Banorte Stadium, Mexico City

• June 14, 2026: Qatar vs Switzerland – Levi's Stadium

• June 19, 2026: Mexico vs South Korea – Estadio Akron

• June 25, 2026: Mexico vs TBD – Banorte Stadium, Mexico City

FIFA officials say they are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with local authorities but stress that all tournament preparations remain on track.

With less than four months until kickoff, global football stakeholders are watching developments closely, though for now, Mexico’s hosting status remains unchanged.