Mexico City will host the opening match of World Cup 2026, and there is no better place to start the biggest tournament in history. On June 11, Mexico face South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, the first stadium ever to host matches at three different World Cups, in front of 83,000 fans and a global television audience of billions.

The Azteca is the spiritual home of Mexican football, the place where Pelé won the 1970 World Cup and Maradona scored the Goal of the Century in 1986. For fans travelling to Mexico City, the opening match is the experience of a lifetime. Here is the complete fan guide.

The stadium: Estadio Azteca

The Estadio Azteca opened in 1966 and seats around 83,000 fans. It is the home of Club America, the most successful team in Mexico, and it has hosted two World Cup finals, in 1970 and 1986. For 2026, the stadium has been renovated with new dressing rooms, new screens and better facilities for fans, while keeping its iconic structure and unique atmosphere.

The most important thing about the Azteca is the altitude. Mexico City sits around 2,240 metres above sea level, and the thin air affects players, especially those who arrive from sea level. The opening match will be a test of fitness and preparation, and the team that handles the altitude best will have an advantage.

Mexico City will host five matches at the Azteca: three group games, including the opener, a Round of 32 match, and a Round of 16 match. The opening match is the most sought-after ticket in the group stage, and the atmosphere will be unforgettable.

The opening match: Mexico vs South Africa

Mexico against South Africa, June 11, 1pm local time. The hosts open the tournament in front of 83,000 fans in a stadium that will be a cauldron. For Mexico, winning the opening match is almost an obligation: the whole country will stop to watch, and the pressure on the players will be enormous.

South Africa, though, are not there to make up the numbers. The Bafana Bafana have an organised, physical team, and they know that a draw at the Azteca would be a historic result. The altitude could help the visitors: South Africans are used to playing at altitude, while many Mexicans play in Europe, at sea level.

For fans, the opening match is the most coveted event of the tournament after the final. Tickets are among the most expensive in the group stage. Fans who cannot get into the stadium can watch at the Fan Festival in the Zocalo, the main square, with big screens and free concerts.

Getting there

Reaching the Estadio Azteca takes some planning. The stadium is in the south of the city, far from the centre. The cheapest way is the Metro: Line 2 to Tasquena, then the Tren Ligero, the light rail, to the Estadio Azteca station, right next to the ground. The journey from the centre takes about an hour.

On match days, public transport will be boosted, but expect queues and crowds. The advice is to leave at least three hours before kickoff, and to avoid unofficial taxis around the stadium. Ride-sharing apps work, but prices surge sharply around match times.

For accommodation, the best areas are Roma Norte, Condesa and Polanco: safe neighbourhoods, full of restaurants, and well connected by the Metro. Avoid staying near the stadium: the area is residential and poorly served in the evening.

Where to stay and what to do

Mexico City is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, and the World Cup is the perfect excuse to discover it. The historic centre, with the Zocalo and the Cathedral, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The National Museum of Anthropology, in Chapultepec Park, is one of the best museums in the world. And the food, from tacos to the markets of Coyoacan, is an experience not to be missed.

The official FIFA Fan Festival will be held at the Zocalo, one of the largest squares in the world, with big screens for every match, concerts and food stalls. Entry is free, and on the days Mexico play, the square will fill with tens of thousands of fans.

A practical tip: drink plenty of water and take the first day to get used to the altitude. Walk slowly, avoid alcohol on the first day, and always carry a bottle of water. The altitude is real, especially if you arrive from sea level, but with a little care, it will not ruin your trip.