Estadio Azteca will host the opening match of the World Cup. On June 11, 2026, the first match of the Mexican national team is scheduled to be played there. However, it appears that this event is currently in question. Why?

Delay in schedule

Estadio Azteca requires renovation to meet FIFA expectations. According to information from 365 Score México, the refurbishment of the stadium is delayed compared to the previously planned schedule.

The Azteca Stadium has NOT passed FIFA tests for the 2026 World Cup. The first report appeared this year, and planned renovations are DELAYED by 6 months, reads a publication on the X portal.

The other two stadiums in the Mexican part of the World Cup, BBVA and Akron, have already met the requirements.

© Gobierno CDMX

Mysterious investor

According to information that appeared shortly after the official announcement of the host cities, the renovation of Estadio Azteca was supposed to begin in May of this year. The investment was supposed to be financed by a financial institution, the name of which was not disclosed, but it is known that this entity is ready to invest $100 million.

At the beginning of February of this year, Mexico's interim head of government, Martí Batres, announced that the project presented in 2021, which planned to build a hotel and shopping center at Azteca Stadium, has been withdrawn, and only renovation inside the facility is being considered. According to information provided at that time by TUDN, the work lasting from 18 to 24 months was to include innovative access systems, a pitch, and lighting.

© Stadiony.net

Abandoned tradition

The investment of a financial institution in the renovation of the stadium is associated with a change in its name. In this way, it would now be called Estadio (bank name) Azteca, which would break the tradition established in 1966, namely the lack of a sponsor in the name. However, it should be noted that for a relatively short period in 1997, the name of the facility was changed to Estadio Guillermo Cañedo, but this name never appealed to the fans, and in 1999, the name Estadio Azteca was restored.