With a Year to Go, Mexico Has More Preparation Ahead for the 2026 World Cup

With just a year to go until Mexico achieves the historic milestone of being the first nation to host the World Cup for a third time, the ambition of staging a remarkable event is clashing with the real-world complexities of upgrading the famed Azteca Stadium for the premier global football competition.

Under the towering presence of Mexico’s footballing cathedral—where legends like Pele enchanted fans with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona’s infamous ‘hand of God’ led Argentina to victory in 1986—construction teams are working diligently to modernise one of the sport’s most iconic venues for the 21st century.

The importance of this project has increased significantly, as the ‘Santa Ursula giant’ is set to host the tournament’s opening match, an event that will draw global attention to Mexico right from the very start.

Renovations will boost the stadium’s capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, focusing on meeting FIFA’s requirements with new changing facilities, improved hospitality areas, refurbished VIP sections, and additional seating in previously occupied box and lounge spaces.

Although government officials and football leaders envisioned the renovation as a beacon of national pride, the process has strained relationships between developers, local communities, and other stakeholders.

In February, stadium administrators revealed that they had secured a credit line of 2.1 billion pesos (approximately $110.19 million) from local financial firm Banorte—along with a contentious new name: Estadio Banorte.

Under FIFA regulations, the stadium will be referred to as “Estadio Ciudad de Mexico” during the World Cup; however, this rebranding has ignited backlash from some fans who feel that football heritage is being sacrificed for commercial interests.

HARSH REALITY

The pushback over the stadium’s new name is merely one aspect of the escalating tensions. Holders of boxes and suites—some of whom have had long-standing relationships with the stadium—have threatened legal action following FIFA’s announcement that it would take possession of their seats for the tournament, thereby disregarding established contracts.

A representative from the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a lawsuit to protect their access rights.

Outside of the stadium, frustrations run equally high. Residents of Santa Ursula and neighbouring areas are concerned that promised infrastructure enhancements—such as pedestrian bridges and new transport lines—will not adequately resolve fundamental issues like poor lighting, water shortages, and ongoing traffic problems.

“We’re not the stadium’s backyard,” stated one local resident to Expansion Politica. “But we’re always treated that way.”

In contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico’s other host cities, encounter fewer challenges.

The 48,000-seat stadium in Guadalajara, opened in 2010, has previously hosted significant events, including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey’s venue, with a capacity of 53,500 and inaugurated in 2015, requires only minor enhancements—mainly new turf and a pitch ventilation system.

“We’ll implement a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before laying down new grass,” said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey’s Host City Manager. “This will be a significant legacy from the World Cup and beyond.”

As construction progresses, Javier Aguirre’s Mexican squad is gearing up for a pivotal summer, aiming to defend their Gold Cup title and compete in friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by clashes with Japan and South Korea in September.

Following a disheartening exit in the group stage at Qatar 2022—their worst World Cup performance since 1978—Mexican supporters yearn for more than just a smoothly run tournament. They aspire to see their national team break the ‘fifth-game’ jinx and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time Mexico hosted the World Cup.

For a nation passionate about football, pride will stem not only from hosting but from excelling on all levels.