Matchday 1
Thu, Jun 11
2–0Full time
Group A Matchday 1
← Host Cities
Mexico
Mexico City
Estadio Banorte (Azteca)
Matches
5
Capacity
87,000
Group stage Round of 32 Round of 16
Built
1966
Surface
Natural grass
Roof
Open
Home of
Club América, Mexico men's national team
Only stadium to host two World Cup finals (1970, 1986); will become the only venue to host matches at three World Cups when it opens 2026.
About the venue
One of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, the Azteca opened in 1966 and was the centrepiece of the 1970 World Cup won by Pelé's Brazil. It returned to the centre stage in 1986 when Diego Maradona's Argentina lifted the trophy.
At the 2026 tournament it will become the first stadium to host matches at three different World Cups. It opens the tournament on June 11 when Mexico face South Africa, plus four other fixtures.
01 – Matches here
All times ET Match list
Matchday 1
Wed, Jun 17
1–3Full time
Group K Matchday 1
Matchday 3
Wed, Jun 24
0–3Full time
Group A Matchday 3
Round of 32
Tue, Jun 30
Round of 16
Sun, Jul 5
TBD vs TBD
02 – Host city news
Match Report · Thu, Jun 25
Mexico Cruise Past Czechia 3-0 to Clinch Group A Top Spot
Goals from Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones and Alvaro Fidalgo gave Mexico a comfortable 3-0 win over Czechia in Mexico City, sealing first place in Group A.
Match Report · Thu, Jun 18
Colombia Cruise Past World Cup Debutants Uzbekistan
Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz scored as Colombia beat World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 in their Group K opener in Mexico City.
Match Report · Thu, Jun 11
Mexico Beat South Africa 2-0 to Open the World Cup on a Night of Three Red Cards
Mexico got the 2026 World Cup up and running with a deserved 2-0 win over South Africa at the Azteca, with goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez on a chaotic night that produced three red cards.
Tournament · Wed, Jun 10
Estadio Azteca Opener: Gate Times, What You Can Bring, and the Ceremony Lineup
The World Cup opens on June 11 with Mexico against South Africa at Estadio Azteca. Organizers say gates open at 9 a.m. local time for a 1 p.m. kickoff, a clear-bag policy is in force, and Shakira headlines an opening ceremony themed around papel picado.
Venues · Sun, Apr 12
Mexico v South Africa: The Azteca Opens the Show for the Third Time in History
On 4 February 2024 FIFA confirmed the Estadio Azteca would host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, making it the only stadium ever to host three editions of the tournament. During the tournament FIFA's no-corporate-sponsorship policy means it will be referred to as Estadio Ciudad de México, per Wikipedia.
02 – Other host cities