Mexico sends the National Guard now to the Qatar World Cup… to watch over the Mexican fans

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Elements of the GN will provide accompaniment functions to the Qatari police, liaison with the fans and dissuasion to avoid conflicts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( SRE ), in charge of Marcelo Ebrard, reported that a group of members of the National Guard will be sent to the World Cup in Qatar to monitor the Mexican fans, although they will not have police duties.

At a press conference, the SRE presented the Mexico-Qatar Center, whose purpose will be to coordinate support for 80,000 nationals with information, protection, assistance and consular services during the sporting event.

The chief commissioner of the National Guard, Arturo Medina Mayoral,  explained that a group of 10 people will be sent to support the Mexican fans, which will be one of the largest in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. 

Medina Mayoral clarified that “as the National Guard we cannot act as a police force, or security, nor wear the uniform.” 

“We received through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the invitation from the Government of Qatar, its national police and the International Football Federation to join the international cooperation center that will be present during the months of November and December,” he said. . 

The activities that the National Guard will carry out are to accompany the Qatari police, link with the fans and dissuasion to avoid conflicts.

“Although it is not the first time that the Mexican police have participated, it is historic that thanks to the intervention of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Guard will be able to accompany and protect our compatriots,” he said. 

In his speech, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard stressed that the Mexico-Qatar Center will serve so that Mexicans attending the World Cup know the rules of the host country, and thus avoid possible conflicts. Among these, he highlighted that it is forbidden to travel with alcoholic beverages.

“The Mexico-Qatar 2022 Center will have everything necessary to support our fans, and it will be the most important presence of Mexican men and women in history in a Middle Eastern country,” he stressed. 

The president of the Mexican Soccer Federation, Yon de Luisa recognized the efforts of the Foreign Ministry to establish a service center for Mexicans in that country.

In addition, he thanked the foreign minister for his support in the work corresponding to the organization of the 2026 World Cup, whose headquarters will be in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Mexico Daily Post