Mexico's iconic Azteca Stadium, located in Mexico City, will host the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It will be the 20th FIFA World Cup game to be held at the edifice dating back to May 31, 1970 when it hosted its first World Cup game during Mexico’s goalless draw against the then Soviet Union, the current Russia. The last time the Stadium hosted a FIFA World Cup game was on June 29, 1986 when Argentina defeated then West Germany 3-2 to win the world’s most prestigious tournament. With barely two and half years to go, world football governing body (FIFA) has revealed the match schedules for the FIFA World Cup 2026 which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. While Estadio Azteca will host the opening match on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the final will take place in New York, New Jersey on Sunday, 19 July, 2026. The national teams of all the three hosting countries will each play their three group-stage games on home soil. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that all is set for the tournament and it will be one to remember. “The most inclusive and impactful FIFA World Cup ever is no longer a dream but a reality that will take shape in the form of 104 matches in 16 state-of-the-art stadiums across Canada, Mexico, and the USA,” Infantino said. “From the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca to the spectacular final in New York New Jersey, players and fans have been at the core of our extensive planning for this game-changing tournament.” “I would like to thank our three host countries and 16 Host Cities for the unwavering commitment to staging a FIFA World Cup that will not only set new records but also leave an indelible legacy.” Rwanda is currently leading Group C of the African World Cup qualifiers and will be hoping to maintain the momentum in order to make it to the world football event for the first time in the country’s history. It will. However, it will be an uphill task for them to achieve their dream with AFCON 2023 semi finalists Nigeria and South Africa both eyeing the spot. ALSO READ: 2026 WC Qualifiers: Nshuti and Mugisha fire Rwanda past South Africa For the first time in the history of the tournament, Africa will have as many as ten representatives, with the tenth set to qualify through the playoffs.
