Terrifying moment footballers run from the pitch for safety in Mexico as they hear ‘explosions’ while violence erupts across the country after drug lord was killed months before the World Cup
A women’s football match in Mexico was suspended mid-game following reports of gunfire near the stadium, prompting both teams to run off the pitch after hearing the sounds.
The match between Club Necaxa and Queretaro Femenil in Mexico’s women’s top flight was brought to a sudden halt on Sunday by the referee, and the players rushed to the dressing rooms for safety.
The incident comes amid a wave of violence across 20 Mexican states by members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), following the military’s killing of their leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as ‘El Mencho’.
The women’s football match at Victoria Stadium took place 230 miles from where El Mencho had been captured in the mountain town of Tapalpa.
The delay lasted around 15 minutes, with authorities reporting that the noises were in fact coming from the exhaust pipes of cars participating in a nearby event.
The news restored calm in the stands, where 400 spectators had been seeking shelter, according to reports. The players then returned to the pitch and resumed the second half of the match.
Players were told to evacuate the pitch during a women’s football match in Mexico amid reports of gunshots – although it was confirmed that the sounds were due to a nearby car show
Violence broke out in Mexico after notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes was killed
El Mencho, Mexico’s most wanted man, died in custody on Sunday shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces.
He was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguard and the military commandos sent to apprehend him, and died while being transported from Tapalpa in Jalisco to Mexico City.
The CJNG is one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels and has played a key role in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl to the US.
Armed groups have been blocking roads and setting fire to supermarkets, banks and vehicles, including in Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara, a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mexico is slated to host 13 games across three cities – Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey – including the curtain raiser in Mexico City on June 11. Millions are due to descend on the US, Mexico and Canada for this summer’s tournament.
Meanwhile Mexico’s men’s top flight, Liga MX, announced on Sunday that Monday’s match between Queretaro and FC Juarez would be rescheduled. Guadalajara’s game against Club America in the women’s league has also been postponed.
Two men’s second-tier matches were also suspended, with Liga Expansion MX announcing on social media that the games between Jaiba Brava and Correcaminos, and Tapatio and Tlaxcala, will be rescheduled.
The National Guard have been patrolling the area where the body of El Mencho was taken to
Mexico national football team have a friendly against Iceland national football team scheduled for Wednesday at Estadio Corregidora in central Mexico
Liga MX’s statement said: ‘The BBVA MX League announces that the match between Queretaro and FC Juarez, corresponding to matchday 7 of the 2026 Clausura Tournament, scheduled to be played today at 7:00 p.m. at La Corregidora Stadium, will be rescheduled with a date and time to be determined.’
Queretaro’s statement read: ‘We remind you that today’s scheduled match has been suspended and will be rescheduled. For this reason, we kindly ask you not to come to the stadium. The new date and time will be announced in due course through our official channels. Thank you for your understanding.’
Mexico national football team have a friendly against Iceland national football team scheduled for Wednesday at Estadio Corregidora in central Mexico.
Global Affairs Canada has urged people to ‘avoid non-essential travel’ to dozens of areas in Mexico ‘due to high levels of violence and organized crime.’
The United States Department of State, meanwhile, has told Americans to shelter in place, with some tourists reportedly trapped after heading south of the border.
