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Several professional soccer matches in Mexico were postponed over the weekend after violence broke out near Guadalajara, one of the country’s host cities for the 2026 World Cup. The decision was made in the wake of a military operation that left cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” dead.
The murder of the leader of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel has plunged parts of the country into chaos, shocking civilians and causing visiting Americans to seek to return to the United States.
Joe Haden, who spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, is among the Americans hoping to return home as quickly as possible.
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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) warms up before playing against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field on December 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Philip G. Pavely/USA TODAY Sports)
Haden commented on the developments he noticed during his visit to Cabo during his latest appearance on his “Deebo & Joe” podcast. He also admitted that he should have taken former Steelers teammate James Harrison’s warning about traveling to Mexico more seriously.
“I should have listened to you. I should have listened to you, Deebo,” Haden said, referring to Harrison’s message emphasizing caution.
“Honestly, I’m scared little brother. I can’t even lie to you. It’s getting really complicated on this side of the world. I need to get back.” [my] feet planted in a US territory. I’m not even trying to be funny, I’m a little scared. Because when we talk about cartels, they go against the police. “They run in airports and stuff.”
Joe Haden (23) of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 12, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Haden’s appearance on the podcast was cut short when he left to finalize travel plans back to the US, leaving Harrison to host the rest of the episode.
“I’m trying to book my stuff, I have a flight I can take now,” Haden said. “I really tried to appear on this show to show them my face and let them know I’m good, but I really need to slide.”
Joe Haden (23) of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, at Heinz Field on October 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Haden was believed to be in Cabo San Lucas at the time the podcast was released.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said via X that the US government provided intelligence support for the operation that led to the murder of “El Mencho.”
“‘El Mencho’ was a primary target for the governments of Mexico and the United States as one of the main traffickers of fentanyl to our homeland,” he wrote. He praised the Mexican army for its work.
The drug trafficker’s murder sparked several hours of roadblocks with burned vehicles, tactics commonly used by cartels to block military operations. Videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta, in Jalisco, and people running in panic through the airport in the state capital.
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is scheduled to host four matches during the 2026 World Cup, including two involving South Korea. Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia also plan to play at the venue.
The Mexican team will continue to host Iceland in a friendly on Wednesday at the Corregidora Stadium in Querétaro. As of Sunday, the Mexican soccer federation had not announced any changes for that match.
Not all sporting events were affected. Organizers of the Mexican Open in Acapulco said the ATP tournament would begin on Monday at the GNP Arena as planned.
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