The cathedral of football. 1970 — Pelé, 1986 — Maradona, the "Hand of God," the "goal of the century." And on June 11, 2026 — the first whistle of the most ambitious tournament in history.
Mexico City is back in its familiar role — the city that opens the World Cup. Paseo de la Reforma will be painted green, a fan fest for 200,000 people will be set up at the Zócalo, and at 8:00 p.m. local time on June 11, fifteen kilometers south at the Azteca, the opening ceremony will kick off. The opening match hasn't been held here since 1986, and the city remembers it well.
All three group matches for the host nation will take place here (Mexico — South Africa, Mexico — South Korea, Czech Republic — Mexico), plus one Czech Republic — South Africa match and a Round of 16 fixture. Mexico City is the starting point and, most likely, the return point: if Mexico wins the group, it will fly back here for the playoffs five days after the third matchday. A quiet logistical advantage.
If Mexico wins Group A: Mexico City → Mexico City → Mexico City (group stage) → Mexico City (Round of 16) → Monterrey (Quarterfinals). Approximately 920 km north.
The ball travels farther, and by the end of the second half legs feel like lead. Visiting teams need adaptation — all Group A opponents have pre-booked altitude training camps in Toluca and Cuernavaca.
The tournament's largest fan fest. Night screenings, music, round-the-clock mole stand. Free for everyone, and absolutely massive.
The album "Re" — the best rock album in Spanish according to Rolling Stone Latam.
Open in Yandex Music →The single that brought rock en español to Mexico's mainstream radio.
Open in Yandex Music →An anthem for a generation. Pachuco — the Mexican zooter — became a pop hero here.
Open in Yandex Music →The band's most romantic ballad. Played at Mexican weddings.
Open in Yandex Music →Bilingual (English + Spanish) hit about border relations with the USA.
Open in Yandex Music →The king of Latin romance. José José — the voice of Mexican bolero in the 1970s.
Open in Yandex Music →Grammy. Mexico's most successful album of the 2010s.
Open in Yandex Music →Top-1 Latin Pop. The best Latin pop duet of the 2000s.
Open in Yandex Music →Alt-rock of the 90s. Fobia — one of the 4-5 main rock en español bands.
Open in Yandex Music →Latin America's pop princess makes her debut. Belinda was born in Madrid, but built her career in Mexico.
Open in Yandex Music →