Mexico’s historic Azteca Stadium to kickoff World Cup opener: All to know
Summary
Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca will host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first stadium to hold World Cup games in three different tournaments. The stadium has a rich history, including iconic moments like Brazil’s 1970 victory and Diego Maradona’s famous “Hand of God” goal in 1986.Key Facts
- Estadio Azteca was built between 1961 and 1966 and originally held over 107,000 fans.
- It hosted football matches during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, including the final.
- The stadium was central to the 1970 World Cup, hosting 10 matches including the opening game and the semifinal between Italy and West Germany.
- Pele won his third World Cup there in 1970, celebrating in front of the crowd.
- In the 1986 World Cup, the stadium hosted nine matches including the opening game and the quarterfinal where Diego Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal and a famous solo goal against England.
- Estadio Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level in Mexico City.
- The stadium recently completed nearly two years of renovations to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, the largest tournament in history.
- The 2026 World Cup will be the first time the stadium hosts matches in a third different World Cup tournament.
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