World Cup 2014: Brazilian Cops Nab Wanted Mexican Drug Lord Who Arrived In Brazil To Watch Mexico Vs. Brazil

O Globo reports that on Monday night, Brazilian authorities arrested 49-year-old Mexican citizen José Díaz Barajas, who was wanted by law enforcement in both the city of Guadalajara and the United States for his alleged trafficking of methamphetamines. Brazil says Barajas was detained as he was attempting to board a plane out of Rio de Janeiro bound for the northeastern city of Fortaleza, where he was headed with his wife and two children to watch the World Cup match between the Mexican and Brazilian national selections.

Authorities say Barajas entered Brazil by land last Wednesday, at the border with Argentina. That entry raised red flags, as his name had appeared on an Interpol list of internationally wanted suspects; after a US judge sent out an extradition request, a federal judge in Brazil issued an order for his detention. Luiz Cravo Dorea, who heads international cooperation with the Brazilian federal police, told Businessweek that FIFA had informed police the suspect had tickets to Tuesday’s World Cup match and added that Barajas would remain in a Rio prison “until his extradition to the U.S. is determined.”

Brazil are clear favorites in the match against Mexico, who nearly didn’t pass out of qualifiers after a disappointing showing there. But most Mexican fans still believe: Animal Politico reports that a survey from the government’s Strategic Communication Cabinet (GCE) finds that about 67 percent of the Mexican public thinks it will be “difficult” for their national team to beat Brazil, but “not impossible.”