Mexico to reopen Estadio Azteca with friendly against CR7’s Portugal | OneFootball

The Mexican national team will reopen the Banorte Stadium, better known as Azteca, in March with a friendly match against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portuguese national team, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

Following that, they will face Belgium in the United States, announced the Mexican Football Federation on Tuesday.

The historic stadium in Mexico City, the stage of triumphs for Pelé and Diego Maradona in the World Cups of 1970 and 1986, respectively, has been renovated to host World Cup games that Mexico will co-organize next year with the United States and Canada.

The first game after the completion of the renovations, which began in May 2024, will be on March 28, against the Portuguese national team, currently ranked sixth by FIFA.

“This match will mark the reopening of the iconic Mexican stadium, which in 2026 will become the first stadium in history to host three World Cups,” stated the Sports Directorate of the Mexican National Team in a press release.

The Azteca Stadium, which will host five World Cup games, including the opening on June 11, is undergoing renovations at FIFA's request.

Changes

The world football governing body requested more comfortable seats, Wi-Fi for spectators, and a hybrid pitch (combining natural grass and synthetic fibers). The stadium's capacity will also be increased from 83,264 to 90,000 seats.

Among the changes is also the name, due to sponsorship, after the Banorte bank contributed the equivalent of approximately $114.7 million (R$ 612 million) for the renovation.

The new name, Estadio Banorte, which will take effect in March next year, has caused discontent among part of the Mexican fans.

After the match against Portugal, Javier Aguirre's Mexican team will travel to the United States to face Belgium, ranked eighth by FIFA, at Soldier Field in Chicago, on March 31, a Tuesday.

Both the Portuguese and Belgian teams qualified for the World Cup last November.

Record

The Mexican and Portuguese teams have faced each other five times, with three victories for the Europeans (one in the 2006 World Cup in Germany) and two draws.

On the other hand, the record against Belgium favors the Mexicans, who have won three matches (two in World Cups: Mexico 1970 and Mexico 1986) and lost two. There were two draws (one in the 1998 World Cup in France).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.