Mexico's 2026 World Cup hosting plans in the light of Querétaro vs Atlas violence

Bishal Pratim Nath

Queretaro v Atlas: Fans question the future of Mexico’s 2026 World Cup

2026 FIFA World Cup, Atlas FC, Liga MX, Queretaro FC

The whole football world was shaken after a gruesome catastrophe that happened in a Liga MX game on Sunday. According to reports, this incident happened after a fight broke out between the fans of Queretaro and the fans of the current Liga MX champions, Atlas after 60 minutes of play, when the Atlas were leading the scoreline by 1-0. According to the official reports, 26 people were injured in this brutal incident.

Queretaro’s players tried to pacify the situation by begging the home fans to settle down. The world was soon exposed to terrible images on social media that surfaced, showing multiple unconscious people and videos of rival supporters engaging in violence using chairs, metal bars, knives etc.

There have been official Liga MX reports claiming three people in critical condition after sustaining massive injuries. This was followed by statements by FIFA and Liga MX condemning the disaster that took place, followed by suspension of all the matches and a swift launch of a critical investigation to nab the culprits through biometric identification.

Football fans from around the world have poured their grief and emotions into various social media platforms along with a powerful statement delivered by former Atlas player turned coach and Mexico legend Rafael Marquez, who has called for solidarity in such a delicate time for Mexican football.

A symbolic gesture to condemn and appeal to the public, like the one, showed by Edson Alvarez of Ajax and member of the Mexico International team, by wearing the words, “No Mas Violencia” have been tributed by football stars and teams around the world.

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The incident has been referred “the darkest day for Mexican soccer” by the Mexican daily El National and has been a failure of stadium administration and safety.

The question which fans have demanded to be addressed is the possibility of safely hosting the 2026 World Cup in Mexico after the tragedy that took place.

Football fans around Mexico have called for serious safety provisions to be enforced for the safety and security of the fans in the football events that are about to happen in Mexico in the coming days.