Four professional soccer matches in Mexico were postponed Sunday after violence flared near Guadalajara — one of the country’s host cities for the 2026 World Cup — in the wake of a military operation that left cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” dead.

Liga MX officials removed two top-flight fixtures from the schedule — Querétaro’s matchup against Juárez FC in the men’s league and the women’s showdown between Chivas and América — and also called off two second-division contests amid security concerns.

The disruption followed operations earlier in the day in Tapalpa, Jalisco, roughly two hours southwest of Guadalajara. Mexican authorities said Oseguera, a former police officer who rose to lead the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), was killed during the operation.

In the aftermath, vehicles were set ablaze and highways were blocked across nearly a dozen Mexican states, according to officials.

MAJOR DRUG LORD ‘EL MENCHO’ KILLED IN MEXICAN MILITARY OPERATION WITH US INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT

Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is slated to stage four matches during the 2026 World Cup, including two involving South Korea. Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia are also scheduled to play at the venue.

Mexico’s national team remains set to host Iceland in a friendly Wednesday at Corregidora Stadium in Querétaro. As of Sunday, the Mexican soccer federation had not announced any changes to that match.

Not all sporting events were affected. Organizers of the Mexican Open in Acapulco said the ATP tournament would begin Monday at the GNP Arena as planned.

“The tournament’s operation continues as normal,” organizers of the tournament said in a statement.

Oseguera had carried a $15 million U.S. bounty and rose to prominence following the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel. Over the past decade and a half, CJNG expanded from a regional criminal group into a global trafficking network operating across much of Mexico from its stronghold in Jalisco.

A burned vehicle used as a barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Michelle Freyria/Reuters)

“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X. “This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.”

The Mexican Defense Department said the operation was conducted as part of bilateral coordination and cooperation with the U.S., and that U.S. authorities provided complementary intelligence that contributed to El Mencho’s killing.

After El Mencho’s death, cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states.

TOURISTS IN MEXICAN SEASIDE RESORT TOLD TO STAY ON RESORT AS GOVERNMENT WARNS OF ‘CLASHES’

A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire, in Cointzio, Michoacán state, Mexico. (AP Photo/Armando Solis)

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The Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación is considered the most powerful cartel in Mexico with an estimated 19,000 members and operations across 21 of the country’s 32 states.

The Trump administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Rizwan Pathan, a national-level martial arts and gymnastics athlete and multiple medallist, is now working as a labourer at a marble factory in Nowshera after financial hardship forced him to step away from competitive sport. 

He said a lack of financial resources has become the biggest obstacle to his dream of representing Pakistan at the international level.

Pathan, who belongs to Bajaur District, won a gold medal at the 2018 national martial arts championships and has also secured medals at several provincial and local competitions. 

“I saw a video in Mardan and after that my interest grew even more. Because gymnastics requires greater financial resources, I shifted to martial arts, where I went on to win national-level medals,” he told Geo News.

However, he said that continued financial pressure has compelled him to take up daily-wage labour to support his family.

“There is widespread poverty in our area and my family is facing serious financial difficulties, so along with pursuing my passion, I have had to work as a labourer to support my household,” he said.

Despite the hardships, Pathan said he has not abandoned his ambition and appealed for institutional and private patronage to continue his sporting career.

“If I am supported, I will become the best player and a proud name for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan,” he said.

South Africa thrashed India by 76 runs in the third match of the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday.

Batting first at the Narendra Modi Stadium, South Africa posted 187 runs for seven wickets in their 20 overs.

India, chasing 188 runs, were bowled out for 111 runs in the 19th over.

After losing three early wickets for 20 runs, South Africa’s David Miller and Dewald Brewis stitched a 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Miller top-scored with 63 runs off 35 balls, including three sixes and seven fours, while Brewis made 45 runs.

Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten on 44 runs. Other contributions included Ryan Rickleton’s seven runs, Quinton de Kock’s six runs, captain Aiden Markram’s four runs, and Marco Jensen’s two runs.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah claimed three wickets for 15 runs, Arshdeep Singh took two, and Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube took one each.

South African captain Aiden Markram, who won the toss and opted to bat, said the pitch was “very good for batting” and aimed to put pressure on India with a big total.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said his side would have chosen to bat first if they had won the toss and confirmed no changes to the team.