With just a month to go before the 2026 World Cup playoff, the DR Congo, led by Chancel Mbemba, finds itself in a tricky situation. The organization of the tournament in Mexico is raising new concerns. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum insists there is “no risk” to the safety of the matches. However, the dramatic situation in Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, could jeopardize one of the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for late March.
The playoff involving New Caledonia, Jamaica, and DR Congo is set to take place at Estadio Akron, home of the Chivas de Guadalajara, which has a capacity of 49,813. New Caledonia and Jamaica will face off first on March 26 (March 27 at 4 AM in France), and the winner will challenge the Leopards on March 31 (10 PM in Paris and Kinshasa).
However, the safety of these matches is being questioned. The city of Guadalajara has recently been shaken by serious violence linked to the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel, following the death of its leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka “El Mencho”, during a military operation carried out by Mexican authorities with U.S. support.
In light of this situation, FIFA is already considering a plan B. According to Argentine media Claro Sports, moving the matches to another Mexican city, like Mexico City, is being considered. The three teams involved have already arranged their travel, and DR Congo, featuring players like Axel Tuanzebe, Gaël Kakuta, and Cédric Bakambu, had planned a friendly match against Bermuda in Guadalajara, just five days before the playoff.
Meanwhile, the other intercontinental playoff, which will see Iraq, Bolivia, and Suriname compete to determine the future opponent of France in Group I, will take place in Monterrey, at the stadium of the Rayados. It remains to be seen if the four matches scheduled in Jalisco, including Mexico vs. South Korea and Uruguay vs. Spain, will ultimately go ahead.
