Ecuador lost 2-0 to Mexico at Estadio Azteca and was knocked out of the 2026 World Cup. Up to that point, it was just another elimination. But hours later, Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinmann lit the fuse: he claimed that a Mexican drug cartel had threatened at least five Ecuadorian players to force the result. 😨
The story spread like wildfire, but no one backs it up with evidence. Ecuadorian journalist Óscar Portilla came out to deny it, citing sources from the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF), while Carlos Vera, another colleague, said he knew of a threat against the family of a player based in Mexico, without showing any evidence at all.
The only thing officially confirmed is a complaint from the FEF about harassment by Mexican fans with pyrotechnics and serenades outside La Tri’s hotel. Neither the FEF, nor the Mexican Federation, nor FIFA validated the cartel rumor. Enner Valencia has already announced his retirement from the national team. An unfounded rumor, or something no one dares to confirm?