Mexico and its third time hosting the World Cup!

On June 11, 2026, a new World Cup will kick off. This time, for the first time in history, three countries will serve as hosts. Mexico, Canada, and the United States will host the largest number of participating national teams, totalling 48 teams divided into twelve groups. As a result, the World Cup will run until July 19, 2026, when the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

In the case of Mexico specifically, a total of 13 matches will be played across three cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Jalisco, and Monterrey, Nuevo León. The opening match at Azteca-Banorte Stadium in Mexico City will be a historic event virtually impossible to match, as it is the only venue in the world to have hosted three FIFA World Cup opening matches, as follows:

1. May 31, 1970: Mexico vs. Soviet Union (0-0). It was the first World Cup in Mexico.

2. May 31, 1986: Italy vs. Bulgaria (1-1). Mexico.

3. June 11, 2026: Mexico vs. South Africa will be the opening match of the Mexico-Canada-United States World Cup.

Additionally, the Azteca-Banorte Stadium is the only stadium to have hosted two World Cup finals (1970: Brazil 4-1 Italy; 1986: Argentina 3-2 West Germany). Pelé and Maradona lifted the trophy there, and it was also the venue for the so-called “Match of the Century” ((Italy 4–3 Germany in the 1970 semifinals).

Also known as the “Colossus of Santa Úrsula,” Azteca Stadium opened in May 1966. It once had a capacity to comfortably seat 110,000 fans, but due to subsequent renovations and modernization, its capacity was reduced to 83,300 to make room for restaurants and hospitality facilities inside. By 2026, it was renovated again to meet FIFA standards, while maintaining its iconic essence. It is a temple of soccer that unites generations and continues to make history.

In Mexico, soccer is the most popular sport. According to FIFA data, Mexico is one of the countries with the most professional soccer players worldwide, with approximately 9,464 players distributed across 244 clubs in various divisions. If the amateur level is included, the number of registered players rises to over 128,000.

Delving into the history of pre-Columbian Mexico, we find that 3,500 years ago the ancient Mexicans (Olmecs, Mayans, Aztecs, Mixtecs-Zapotecs) were already playing  a ball game  for more than 3,500 years, known as tlachtli by the Aztecs and  pitz or pok-ta-pok by the Mayans.  Although it is not a direct ancestor of soccer (which has roots more in other ancient games such as the Chinese cuju), this pre-Hispanic game is considered an important precursor to team ball sports played in a competitive, community-oriented spirit that resonates strongly with modern soccer.

The Mesoamerican ball game was played by two teams competing by hitting a heavy rubber ball weighing up to 7 kg, primarily with their hips, elbows, or knees, aiming to pass it through stone rings on sloping walls, representing the movement of the sun and the cosmic struggle. The ball was made of natural rubber (latex) from the rubber tree, which allowed it to bounce—something unheard of in the Old World at that time. Sites such as Chichén Itzá, Tajín, Copán, Xochicalco, Monte Albán, and Tikal preserve some of the most impressive ball courts. In the following video, you can see how the ballgame is still played in Mexico: The ancient Mayan sport making a comeback – BBC REEL

It’s fascinating how team sports unite generations across continents and centuries!

Mexico is ready to participate in the best possible way in this major global competition and to welcome all visitors from around the world, dressed in their finest and with the warmth that distinguishes Mexicans.