Soccer-Mexico's Estadio Azteca to host opening match of 2026 World Cup

Soccer Football - 2026 World Cup - Official match schedule announcement - Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico - February 3, 2024 The Azteca Stadium will be one of the three venues in Mexico for the 2026 World Cup in North America. It will be the first stadium to host three World Cups after having hosted the finals with Pele's Brazil in 1970 and Diego Maradona's Argentina in 1986. Today it closes its doors for renovation for the World Cup. REUTERS/Carlos Perez-Gallardo

(Reuters) - Mexico City's Estadio Azteca will host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup on June 11, Gianni Infantino, president of world soccer's governing body FIFA, said on Sunday.

Mexico staged the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, with the finals of both editions held at Estadio Azteca. Argentina striker Diego Maradona also scored the famous "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century" against England at the venue.