Few venues in world sport carry the mythology of Estadio Azteca. From Pelé lifting the trophy in 1970 to Diego Maradona delivering both the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century” in 1986, the iconic Mexican stadium has become football’s ultimate stage for immortality.
Now, the legendary arena is preparing to make history once again during the 2026 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first stadium ever to host matches in three different FIFA World Cups.
The stadium that witnessed football’s greatest moments
Known as “The Colossus of Santa Ursula,” Estadio Azteca is widely regarded as one of the most revered football venues ever built.
The stadium has already hosted a record 19 FIFA World Cup matches, including two finals — a feat unmatched anywhere in global football.
Its walls have witnessed some of the sport’s defining moments:
Italy’s dramatic 4-3 victory over West Germany in the legendary “Game of the Century” during the 1970 semi-finals.
Brazil’s iconic 1970 triumph, where Pelé became the first player to win three World Cups.
The worldwide rise of the “Mexican Wave” during the 1986 tournament.
Manuel Negrete’s unforgettable scissor-kick goal for Mexico.
Maradona’s unforgettable quarter-final masterclass against England, featuring both the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century.”
The stadium’s atmosphere became so iconic that FIFA once described one of its eruptions as “the most deafening roar in football history.”
The origins of Estadio Azteca date back to the early 1960s, when Mexico set out to host not just a World Cup — but the greatest World Cup ever staged.
Mexican Football Federation president Guillermo Cañedo envisioned a stadium that could rival and even surpass Brazil’s legendary Maracanã.
Architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez led the ambitious project, drawing inspiration from Europe’s greatest stadiums, including Wembley, San Siro, Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabéu.
Construction required the removal of nearly 180 million kilos of volcanic rock before work could even begin. By the time the stadium officially opened in 1966, the original budget had more than doubled.
Yet the result was transformational: a 100,000-seat football cathedral capable of producing one of the most intimidating and emotional atmospheres in sport.
Estadio Azteca’s cultural importance extends far beyond football.
In 1979, Pope John Paul II addressed more than 100,000 people inside the stadium during his first overseas trip as pope, praising the unforgettable football spectacle Mexico had presented to the world.
Over the decades, the venue has become a defining symbol of Mexico’s sporting identity and one of the most recognisable stadiums on the planet.
FIFA has already confirmed that the opening match of the 2026 World Cup will take place at Estadio Azteca, adding another historic milestone to the venue’s legacy.
The 2026 tournament itself will also redefine the scale of the competition. Hosted jointly by Mexico, United States and Canada, it will become the first FIFA World Cup featuring 48 national teams and the largest tournament in football history.
For Mexico, the symbolism is especially powerful. The country will become the first nation ever to host World Cup matches across three separate editions — 1970, 1986 and 2026 — with Estadio Azteca standing at the centre of each era.
More than half a century after captivating the world with Pelé’s Brazil and four decades after Maradona’s masterpiece, the stadium is once again preparing to stand at the centre of football history.
And if the past is any indication, football’s next immortal moment may once again belong to the Azteca.