World Cup 2026 Mexico City: Estadio Azteca Match Schedule & Times
Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) hosts 5 World Cup 2026 matches — the June 11 opening match plus games on June 17, 24, a Round of 32 on June 30, and a Round of 16 on July 5. Full schedule, kickoffs, and fan travel tips.
Published June 7, 2026·5 min read
TL;DR:Mexico City Stadium — the venue fans know as Estadio Azteca — hosts five World Cup 2026 matches: the June 11 opening match (Mexico vs South Africa), group games on June 17 and June 24, a Round of 32 on June 30, and a Round of 16 on July 5. It is the only Mexican venue with knockout fixtures.
Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) match schedule
Per FIFA's published venue plan, these are the five matches at Estadio Azteca, per StadiumDB. Some opponents and exact kickoff times depend on final FIFA confirmation, so check your ticket before booking travel.
| Date | Match | Round |
|---|---|---|
| June 11 | Mexico vs South Africa (Opening Match) | Group A |
| June 17 | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Group stage |
| June 24 | Czechia vs Mexico | Group A |
| June 30 | To be confirmed | Round of 32 |
| July 5 | To be confirmed | Round of 16 |
The unmissable date is June 11: Mexico opens the tournament at home, making Estadio Azteca the first stadium to stage three World Cup tournaments (1970, 1986, 2026). With a tournament capacity near 87,000, the opener and Mexico's June 24 group finale will be the hottest tickets in the country.
Planning your match day
Estadio Azteca sits in the Coyoacán borough of southern Mexico City, so plan 45–60 minutes of transit on match days. For the full route breakdown see our getting to Estadio Azteca guide, and for where to stay and eat read our eat & stay guide. If you're building a multi-city trip, the host cities ranked overview helps you sequence it.
Staying connected on match day
Stadium Wi-Fi congests fast when 87,000 fans connect at once, so a data plan that roams onto Mexico's strongest network matters for your ticket QR code, rideshare, and group chat. A travel North America eSIMrides the Telcel network — the widest-coverage carrier in the country. Here's how the options compare:
| Option | Cost | Setup time | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Low (US$3–25) | ~5 min (pre-install on Wi-Fi) | Excellent (local carrier) |
| Carrier roaming | High ($10–15/day) | Instant (already enabled) | Medium (partner-dependent) |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Medium | Airport pickup / rental | Good (extra device to charge) |
FAQ
QHow many World Cup 2026 matches does Mexico City host?
AMexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) hosts 5 matches. Three group-stage games on June 11, 17, and 24, 2026, a Round of 32 on June 30, and a Round of 16 on July 5 — the only Mexican venue with knockout fixtures.
QWhat is the World Cup 2026 opening match in Mexico City?
AMexico plays South Africa in the opening match at Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026. It makes Estadio Azteca the first stadium ever to host three World Cup tournaments — 1970, 1986, and 2026.
QWhat is Estadio Azteca called during the World Cup?
AFIFA refers to it as ‘Mexico City Stadium’ during the tournament. Banorte acquired the naming rights in 2025, so outside the World Cup it is officially Estadio Banorte; fans still call it Estadio Azteca.
QDoes Mexico City host any World Cup 2026 knockout matches?
AYes — a Round of 32 on June 30 and a Round of 16 on July 5, 2026. It is the only one of the three Mexican host venues to stage knockout-round games.
Bottom line
Mexico City is the tournament's curtain-raiser and Mexico's deepest venue, with five matches stretching from the June 11 opener to a July 5 Round of 16. Lock in tickets and lodging early, plan an hour to reach Coyoacán on match days, and install a North America eSIMbefore you fly so you're connected the moment you land.
Sources: FIFA — Mexico City Stadium hosts opening match, StadiumDB — Mexico City Stadium, Wikipedia — Estadio Azteca.