Iconic stadium could be stripped of World Cup opener – with England game also at risk

The Estadio Azteca’s renovation delays could bring chaos to the beginning of the 2026 World Cup.

The 87,523-capacity venue in Mexico City has been chosen to host the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11.

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With only four months remaining before the tournament starts, the stadium has been undergoing important renovation work.

As per StadiumDB, they are installing a new hybrid pitch, seats, screens and lighting, and redeveloping the press areas and entrances.

Costs stand at an estimated Mex$3billion [£1.28b] and reopening is set for March 28 for a friendly between Mexico and Portugal.

But Emilio Azcarraga Jean, who owns the stadium and its occupants Club America, has cast doubt about its progress.

“There are things that cannot be done due to the complexity of the work,” he revealed.

“For example, the parking lot we will have to do after the World Cup. There is also the issue of column lighting that was not done well.”

Estadio Azteca plans to host five matches at the World Cup, with one potentially being co-hosts Mexico against England in the last 16.

The two nations would have to win Group A and Group L respectively, as well as their own last 32 matches to set up such a fixture.

However, journalist Ruben Rodriguez warned that the stadium could be stripped of its hosting rights if the work isn’t completed in time.

FIFA are said to have control of all 16 World Cup stadiums from May 2026, and are set to carry out inspections.

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“In March the stadium will not be 100 per cent ready, that’s a fact,” Rodriguez told FOX One.

“On May 3 or 4, FIFA will say, ‘Give me the stadium, I’m taking control because we want to prepare everything.’

“If FIFA finds out that the stadium won’t be ready in May, it will take away our opening match and hosting rights.”

According to Mexico News Daily, Azcarraga Jean submitted a financial report to the stock exchange that hinted at a key concern.

This could be a ‘possible disqualification or relocation of key matches by FIFA’.

There are also said to be worries over ‘the failure to meet deadlines for the remodelling works and unforeseen costs’.

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What stadiums will England play at?

The Three Lions begin their World Cup campaign in Group L against Croatia on June 17 at the Dallas Stadium.

They will meet Ghana at the Gillette Stadium in Boston six days later, before a trip to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on June 27 to face Panama.

Should England finish top of the group, they will play at third-placed side from groups E, H, I, J and K at Atlanta Stadium on July 1.

Estadio Azteca, also known as the Mexico City Stadium, will follow in the last 16 on July 5.

Their quarter-final match will come in Miami six days later, with their semi-final to be in Atlanta on July 15.

The World Cup final is then played on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium.