Amid fears of raids, the Tricolor defeats Turkey 1-0

▲ Orbelín Pineda sparked joy in the stands by scoring the only goal of the match. Photo @miseleccionmx Photo @miseleccionmx

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, p. a12

The policies of the US President Donald Trump's administration are altering situations that until a few days ago were normal for Mexican fans. They can attend a national team match in large numbers, walk the streets with flags, sombreros, and mariachi music without fear of being the target of an immigration raid for lacking legal status. At the Mexican national team's last friendly match ahead of the Gold Cup, the number of empty seats was a preview of how the current measures are shaping up to affect the tournament that begins on Saturday.

The dilemma of whether or not to attend the University of North Carolina stadium, where Mexico defeated Turkey 1-0, resulted in more than half of the tickets sold going unsold at the box office. According to the American company Soccer United Marketing, which promotes the Tricolor's matches in the US, attendance fell below 20,000 in a venue designed for 55,000. For some, the possibility of making the trip from other cities could represent a kind of trap.

A recent Unidos US survey shows that 43 percent of Latinos believe many people fear immigration authorities will arrest them, even if they are U.S. citizens or have legal immigration status . That uncertainty was briefly put to rest with the goal by Orbelín Pineda (45), who beat Turkish goalkeeper Berke Ozer with a left-footed shot after a throw-in. "It's going to be very difficult for people to feel safe at a game ," warned Unidos US's chief immigration advisor, Cristobal Ramón, as quoted by the newspaper La Opinión . Yesterday's images proved it.

Various fan groups decided not to travel to see the match for fear that a busload of migrants would become a target for arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, at least five people ran onto the field, trying to greet the players. Regarding the Trump administration's actions and the proximity of the Gold Cup—from June 14 to July 6—FIFA President Gianni Infantino dismissed any concerns about the likely presence of ICE in the stadiums.

For security reasons, the Tricolor will change its host hotel in Los Angeles for the first Gold Cup match against the Dominican Republic, on Saturday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. According to local media reports, the delegation will move its headquarters to Long Beach. All that remains is to obtain authorization from the Confederation to select the resort.

Yesterday, Mayor Karen Bass declared a nightly curfew in downtown Los Angeles that will remain in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, p. a12

Six of the 10 clubs that initiated proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over legal simulations that disguise the lack of commitment from the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) to restore the promotion and relegation , agreed upon in 2020, remain in the fight. Directors of Atlético Morelia, Atlético La Paz, Leones Negros, Venados FC, Mineros de Zacatecas and Cancún FC demanded the return of the old competition system in the First Division, after six years in which barriers disguised as requirements have been created, such as the Liga Mx certification process, and they find themselves subjected to a slow death .

Since May 7, Second Division teams have been notified of the withholding of the 20 million peso annual subsidy provided by the Federation, due to the lawsuit filed with the CAS and a clause established in the contract signed for the suspension of promotion and relegation, which states that if someone sues the FMF while the lawsuit is pending, they will not receive financial support . This measure, according to Leones Negros president Alberto Castellanos, constitutes an act of intimidation by the federations and violates the right to justice enshrined in the Constitution.

What we're asking for is compliance with the CAS ruling. The ruling demands the return of automatic promotion and relegation , adds the rector of the Guadalajara University Center. Certification is a farce; the FMF created that barrier to accredit several points that aren't met in the Liga MX, such as the stadium's condition. Atlante wasn't certified because the Ciudad de los Deportes didn't meet the requirements; this year, it magically met them with the remodeling of the Azteca stadium. We won't be intimidated. If we have to manage teams with 10 pesos, so be it, but we'll maintain the league with that .

Although 10 organizations initially appealed to the CAS, Atlante, Alebrijes de Oaxaca, Jaiba Brava, and Cimarrones de Sonora—who were in negotiations for the sale of their membership certificates—rejected the appeal. "The right thing to do is to ask them why they're not here ," Castellanos stated in a joint press conference held hours after the FMF confirmed the Expansión members' meeting on letterhead this Thursday at the Toluca facilities. "We can't reach the First Division because the league is hijacked ," Cancún FC vice president Giovanni Solazzi bluntly warns.

Regarding the legal process, Brazilian lawyer Eduardo Calezzo, representing the six Expansion teams, said the federation should issue a response by the end of the month, and the CAS authorities will subsequently set a date for a hearing, which could be held in September. "By illegally withholding the subsidy, the FMF is forcing us to cut off our processes in the Premier League—the third professional level—which is the equivalent of our U-20 league. There are players who have been working with us for more than 10 years, and we will have to adjust to continue," explains Eduardo López Villarreal, vice president of Mineros de Zacatecas.

According to the directors of the Liga de Expansión, this year the FMF did not open the call to begin the certification process for the circuit. "It's completely rigged ," emphasizes the UdeG boss, spokesperson for a fight in which they denounce the existence of a concentration of power in the positions held by Mikel Arriola, commissioner and president of the Liga MX and Second Division, as well as a surplus in the value of the First Division franchises due to the lack of any risk of relegation. "The elimination of this category does not depend on them, but on us ."

▲ Brazil's Richarlison (center) fights for the ball during the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. AP Photo

From the editorial staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, p. a34

On Carlo Ancelotti's 66th birthday, Brazil's national team had no trouble defeating Paraguay 1-0 and thus qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

With a solitary goal from Vinícius Junior in the 44th minute, the five-time world champions moved into third place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, thus securing their place in the tournament.

The Verdeamarela team displayed a more attacking approach compared to their previous draw against Ecuador. With their ticket in hand, the team consolidates its position as the only team to have qualified for every World Cup since 1930.

Paraguay was a tough and resilient team, trying to respond at times with pressure and dangerous crosses; however, they never managed to get close enough to even the score. After the defeat, the Albirroja remained in fifth place with 24 points.

The victory will allow Ancelotti to secure his first appearance as a coach at football's biggest event and launch the Canarinha's campaign to win their elusive sixth world title.

In addition to the host countries (Mexico, the United States, and Canada), 10 teams have qualified for the World Cup.

Ecuador drew 0-0 with Peru and secured their qualification for the World Cup, leaving the Inca team near the bottom of the standings and practically without a chance in the qualifiers.

At Lima's National Stadium, the visitors earned 25 points and moved into second place in the standings, ahead of Brazil with the same number of points but fewer goals scored, with two matches remaining in the South American competition.

Peru, whose last World Cup appearance was in 2018 after nearly four decades of absence, finished second to last on the table with 12 points, just ahead of Chile, who also were eliminated with 10 points.

Meanwhile, with 10 players and captain Lionel Messi substituted, Thiago Almada rescued Argentina from a seemingly foregone defeat in a tough match against Colombia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Forward Luis Díaz opened the scoring for the Cafeteros with a goal-scoring effort in the 23rd minute at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, but Almada caught the opposing defense off guard after a cross and scored the final 1-1 in the 80th minute.

James Rodríguez and Lionel Messi met again at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, a year after meeting in the 2024 Copa América final.

In other results, the Uruguayan team found victory again and is very close to securing its participation in the World Cup. With goals from Rodrigo Aguirre (43) and Giorgian de Arrascaeta (47), the Charrúas beat Venezuela 2-0 at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo and reached 24 points in the classification.

The top six teams in the CONMEBOL Qualifiers qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup, while the seventh-place team advances to the intercontinental playoff.

With information from AP and Reuters

From the editorial staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, p. a34

The NBA confirmed yesterday that it will return to Mexico on Saturday, November 1, with a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Detroit Pistons.

The game will be the 34th in our country, which has established itself as the largest market outside the United States and Canada with League matches.

The Mavericks, who feature 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, will play their eighth game in Mexico, while the Pistons, who returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, will make their third appearance in Mexico.

▲ This will be the 34th game held in the country and the Mavs' eighth. Photo: DallasMavericks

The Day of the Dead theme will be showcased through a variety of activities, including a specially themed basketball court and several fan engagement initiatives.

Last year, the Mexico City Arena hosted the game between the Miami Heat and the Washington Wizards on November 2.