Andreas Rettig, managing director of the German Football Association (DFB), has expressed concern over the recent violence in Guadalajara, Mexico, significantly dampening the anticipation for the upcoming World Cup. Guadalajara is scheduled to host four group stage games at Estadio Akron during the tournament. The unrest began following a military operation that resulted in the death of drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” who led the notorious Jalisco New Generation cartel. His death sparked violent reactions throughout the country.
Amid this turmoil, notable matches like Mexico vs. South Korea and Uruguay vs. Spain are still slated to occur, with the Estadio Akron also set to host a World Cup play-off tournament in late March between New Caledonia and Jamaica. Speaking to the Augsburger Allgemeine, Rettig candidly remarked, “to be honest, not right now,” when asked about his excitement for the tournament. He highlighted the suffering of Mexicans amidst the unrest and expressed hope for a swift return to normalcy.
Rettig’s comments were not only focused on Mexico; he also referenced severe weather conditions affecting host cities on the U.S. East Coast, pointing out the distressing images of snowstorms that compounded the pre-World Cup atmosphere. He has been in his role since 2023, having previously served as managing director of the Deutsche Fussball-Liga (DFL) and holding various positions at Bundesliga clubs.
In a related context, Rettig had previously been critical of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, calling for bold protests and emphasizing the need for accountability in the sporting landscape. He suggested that the DFB should have sent an openly gay official to the tournament as a form of protest against perceived human rights violations. The results of the tournament were disappointing for the German national team, as they suffered a similar fate to their prior World Cup performance by being eliminated in the group stage.
Addressing calls for a potential boycott of the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America, Rettig noted that such actions “currently makes no sense” and acknowledged that political landscapes can shift rapidly. He advised Germany’s players to remain focused and not let negative discussions infiltrate their preparations. As the country gears up for its matches against Curacao, the U.S., and other teams in June, the hope remains that the core values of football can prevail amidst the surrounding challenges.