Mexico Ready To Shine As 2026 World Cup Counts Down
Mexico is about to play a major role in the upcoming FIFA World Cup as a co-host alongside the US and Canada. The tournament is set to open on 11th June with Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, marking a historic moment for a nation deeply embedded in World Cup tradition.
Indeed, Mexico is no stranger to hosting football’s biggest tournament, having previously staged the competition in 1970 and 1986. Both of these competitions remain memorable for England fans for conflicting reasons. The 1970 tournament featured Bobby Moore’s famous tackle against Brazil, while 1986 saw Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal, moments that remain etched in football history.
For the 2026 version of the tournament, the country will host 17 games in total, which includes 13 in the group stage and 4 knock out matches. Mexico’s own group stage matches will all be played at home, ensuring strong support throughout the early phase.
Three Mexican stadiums are being used: Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (approx. 87,500 capacity), Estadio BBVA in Monterrey (around 53,500), and Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (roughly 48,000). All venues are undergoing varying levels of renovation and infrastructure upgrades to meet FIFA standards.
Off the pitch, there have been political ripples, with Iran reportedly requesting that their group matches be scheduled in Mexico, which FIFA is unlikely to accommodate. Meanwhile, ongoing issues surrounding cartel-related violence has raised questions about safety for travelling fans, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum repeatedly stating that there is “no risk” for people attending matches in the host cities.
Envio International will be closely following the tournament – and naturally monitoring the progress of British teams. However, as logistics specialists in Latin America, we’ll also be getting behind the regional teams, which include Mexico, Curaçao (appearing for the first time), Haiti, Panama, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay. Additionally, Jamaica or Bolivia could also join them via this month’s play-offs.
At the time of writing, there’s just 11 weeks to go until the eyes of the world are all focused on Mexico!
