The opening game of the 2026 World Cup will be held at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, FIFA have announced.
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FIFA choose iconic venue for opening gameHosted historic games in 1970 and 1986Toronto to host first-ever game in CanadaWHAT HAPPENED?
The opening game of the 2026 World Cup will be held at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, FIFA have announced.
The historic 83,000 capacity venue will host the first match of the tournament on June 11, 2026, marking the third occasion the World Cup has taken place on Mexican soil after hosting the tournament in 1970 and 1986.
Mexico will co-host an expanded competition along with the United State and Canada. Toronto's BMO Field will host the first-ever World Cup Finals match in Canada on June 12.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The 104-game format hosted across three different countries cuts quite a contrast to the previous tournament held over 64 games with games held within close proximity of each other. It's a brave new era, but the selection of the Azteca as the opening venue provides a nod to the competition's past. The stadium hosted Pele's Brazil as they swaggered to victory in 1970.
16 years later, the stadium was the setting for Diego Maradona's quarter-final brace against England and Argentina's triumph over West Germany in the final a week later.
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
A day later, World Cup history will be made as the tournament is hosted in Canada for the first time. Toronto will host Canada's opening game before Alphonso Davies and company conclude their group schedule with two games in Vancouver's BC Place.
WHAT NEXT?
The venue announcements will step up anticipation of the biggest and boldest World Cup to date. Qualifying is already well under way in South America, Africa and Asia, although European teams will not get going until March 2025.