WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mexico Metropolis is finalizing preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with Estadio Azteca set to change into the primary venue to host matches throughout three World Cup tournaments. It was beforehand the scene of Pelé’s triumph in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s Cup win in 1986.
Neither of the opposite two Mexican venues existed when Mexico hosted the match earlier than: The Estadio Akron in Guadalajara was based in 2010 as the house of Liga MX crew Chivas de Guadalajara, and the Estadio BBVA was inaugurated in 2015 as the house of the Liga MX crew Rayados del Monterrey.
Diego Maradona holds up the World Cup trophy after Argentina beat West Germany within the World Cup closing at Estadio Azteca on June 29, 1986.
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Mexico will face South Africa through the first match of the 2026 World Cup at Estadio Azteca, which has undergone about $80 million in renovations.
“The stadium is coming along nicely. We are working hard every day to be ready for the inauguration in March. Everything is going smoothly,” mentioned Estefanía Padilla, head of promoting and operations for the Mexico Metropolis World Cup headquarters.
Organizers are making ready to open the renovated stadium on March 28 when Mexico will face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in a pleasant match that may mark the tip of the work that started in the midst of final yr. The organizers additionally needed to resolve a dispute over luxurious containers. After 18 months of litigation, the luxurious field homeowners gained the precise to make use of them through the World Cup with out paying extra charges. They demanded that an settlement courting to the stadium’s development six a long time in the past, which grants them limitless entry to their seats for 99 years, be honored.
Mexico Metropolis expects to obtain round 5.5 million vacationers, so enhancements even have been made to infrastructure, airports and transportation. Past that, Padilla mentioned, the World Cup will likely be a possibility to point out the world the cultural richness of Mexico’s capital. Along with the stadium, town has developed three pillars to draw followers: tradition, leisure and experiences, with greater than 36 actions deliberate.
“Mexico City is the soul of the World Cup,” Padilla mentioned. “Hopefully, everyone will be able to visit. Mexico is very famous internationally for its culture and gastronomy.”
Within the cultural sphere, greater than 12 museums will take part in World Cup occasions, together with the Museo Franz Mayer. There additionally will likely be an exhibition by Annie Leibovitz on the Nationwide Museum of Anthropology.
The fan competition will likely be arrange within the Zócalo, the principle public sq. within the historic heart of Mexico Metropolis, and will characteristic the biggest video display amongst all of the World Cup venues. It’s anticipated to draw 60,000 spectators per day, greater than 100,000 throughout Mexico’s matches and a complete of about 2.5 million through the match.
When it comes to leisure, live shows are being deliberate on the Nationwide Auditorium that includes worldwide artists and a trend present highlighting clothes made in Mexico.
A younger Mexican soccer fan blows a horn whereas watching a 2014 World Cup match on massive screens in Mexico Metropolis.
(Rebecca Blackwell / Related Press)
Nevertheless, safety issues stay ever current within the capital, as organized crime violence has continued to plague the nation in latest months, with a brand new wave of violence linked to drug trafficking that has affected the recognition of President Claudia Sheinbaum.
“We have developed a comprehensive plan that coordinates all levels of government. Our goal is to ensure that this event takes place in a safe environment for everyone,” mentioned Gabriela Cuevas, federal coordinator for the World Cup, throughout a latest presentation alongside Sheinbaum.
Sheinbaum joined President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney through the World Cup draw ceremony Friday on the Kennedy Heart in Washington.
Guadalajara is the ‘most Mexican venue,’ organizers say 
Pelé holds a ball earlier than Brazil’s World Cup apply in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 5, 1970.
(GB / Related Press)
Guadalajara will host Mexico’s second match, and it will likely be the primary time the nationwide crew performed there in a World Cup. Town’s Estadio Jalisco did beforehand host one in every of Brazil’s nice groups led by Pelé in 1970.
Preparation of a more recent stadium, Estadio Akron, for this World Cup started 5 years in the past and is 85% full. Based on the organizers, the venue, which will likely be referred to as Estadio Guadalajara through the match, is able to host two intercontinental playoff video games in March, in one thing of a World Cup preview, after which precise World Cup matches in June.
To date solely minor changes have been made, primarily to carry the pitch as much as FIFA requirements.
Ainara Zatarain, director of stadium operations, mentioned town seeks to venture itself as “the most Mexican,” with distinctive gastronomic and cultural choices. She additionally highlighted the FIFA fan competition that will likely be arrange within the metropolis heart. Jalisco expects to draw 3 million vacationers through the match, which is why 40 new inns have been constructed.
Zatarain recalled that the stadium was designed within the early 2000s particularly for a World Cup, finishing the imaginative and prescient of the late Chivas proprietor Jorge Vergara.
“After 15 years we are fulfilling Jorge Vergara’s dream, which was to have a World Cup in the Guadalajara Stadium. For us, the changes have been minimal, and it has been more because, of course, several things have been updated over the years, such as the field that we now have in our stadium,” Zatarain mentioned in Washington previous to the World Cup draw.
Guadalajara seeks to face out for its delicacies, tequila, mariachis and cultural traditions.
“We say that we are the most Mexican city or the most Mexican venue,” Zatarain mentioned. “We have an impressive gastronomic variety, and we invite you to try all the traditions and culture that we have in our state and in our city. Guadalajara is something unique.”
Nevertheless, town additionally faces issues with violence and transportation difficulties across the stadium.
Native authorities estimate that the World Cup will generate $1 billion for the state of Jalisco.
Monterrey focuses on finishing enhancements
Monterrey, Mexico’s third host metropolis, made important investments in infrastructure, the airport and Estadio BBVA for the World Cup. The investments embrace greater than $6 million in stadium renovations and $416 million in airport renovations in addition to upgrades to public transportation, city picture initiatives and safety.
Monterrey can have the most recent stadium of the three Mexican venues — Estadio BBVA debuted in 2015 — and in addition will host continental playoff matches to be performed from March 23 to 31.
“The most important challenge is mobility, without a doubt … and security,” mentioned Francisco Rodríguez, head of tv and business rights for the Monterrey venue.
“The challenge is to coordinate mobility, provide good security and keep the city clean.”
This text first appeared in Spanish through L.A. Instances en Español.
