El Mencho, whose real name is Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, was the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and had made secret arrangements to gift tickets to the World Cup 2026 matches to his close associates just before he was killed. This revelation highlights the intertwining of major global events with the operations of criminal organizations, indicating how such events are exploited for influence and relationships within these illicit networks.

The CJNG, under El Mencho's leadership, has been implicated in large-scale drug trafficking operations, contributing to the influx of dangerous substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine into the United States. The scale of his operations led to the US government offering a significant reward for information leading to his capture, reflecting the serious implications of his criminal activities. Additionally, the CJNG's violent attacks on Mexican officials have labeled the organization as a foreign terrorist group by previous US administrations.

El Mencho's recent death during a military operation marks a significant turning point in the landscape of organized crime in Mexico. His ability to plan for high-profile events like the World Cup while leading a violent cartel demonstrates the audacity and reach of such figures. The implications of this event extend beyond his death, posing questions about the future of the CJNG and how such power vacuums might affect cartel violence and drug trafficking dynamics in Mexico and beyond.