While FIFA and the president of Mexico say there are no problems with the slaughter and wave of violence, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has expressed concern and is considering not sending any of its big stars for the friendly match against that country in March. The situation Mexico is facing regarding security, stemming from the operation that led to the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes “El Mencho,” and which has caused a state of alert in various entities, has put Portuguese leaders on alert. “The Portuguese Football Federation also awaits this match with great expectation, given its symbolic importance in the preparation of the national team, recognizing the historical significance of the moment and the competitive value it represents,” the FPF assured in its statement. “However, recent events demand a continuous assessment of the conditions associated with the travel of the FPF delegation. In this context, the indications of the Portuguese government are fundamental and crucial for monitoring the situation,” they indicate. “The Portuguese Football Federation emphasizes that the safety of the players, the technical staff, and the fans is an absolute priority, and this is the guiding criterion for all evaluations and decisions regarding the holding of the match,” it concluded. Although names are not yet mentioned, it has already begun to circulate that Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão, and João Félix, among others, might not travel and would play with a team without so many stars, for security reasons. The match is scheduled for March 28 and is part of the final stage of the teams' preparation with their full squads, with a view to the World Cup to be held between June and July 2026. In case Portugal finally decides not to visit Mexico City, one of the options, under contractual terms for the confrontation, would be to move the match to another venue in the United States, taking advantage of the fact that the Mexican team will play against Belgium on March 31 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
