Portuguese soccer federation monitoring situation in Mexico ahead of friendly in March
The Portuguese soccer federation is closely monitoring the situation in Mexico following a surge in violence ahead of its friendly match against the Mexican national team in March. The federation expressed concerns over the recent killing of Mexico’s most powerful drug lord by the Mexican army, which has led to a spike in violence and heightened tensions in the country.
The World Cup warmup match is scheduled to take place on March 28 at the renovated Azteca Stadium, which is set to host the opening match of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa on June 11. Despite the escalating situation, the Portuguese federation acknowledged the honor of being invited to participate in the reopening of the renovated venue but emphasized the need for continuous evaluation of the conditions that the national team and its delegation will face.
The federation stated that it will follow the recommendations of the Portuguese government and maintain close contact with the Mexican soccer federation to ensure the safety of players, coaching staff, and fans. Any decision regarding the match will be made based on ongoing monitoring and in coordination with the Mexican Football Federation.
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum reassured fans that there is “no risk” for those attending the World Cup, despite the current circumstances in the country. The Icelandic soccer federation also confirmed that their friendly match against Mexico is expected to proceed as planned on Wednesday in Queretaro.
In conclusion, the Portuguese Football Federation prioritizes the safety of all individuals involved in the match and will continue to assess the situation leading up to the friendly against Mexico. The federation maintains excellent institutional relations with the Mexican Football Federation and will make decisions in line with governmental recommendations to ensure a safe and secure environment for the upcoming match.
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