Kickoff on the Brink: World Cup 2026 Opening in Jeopardy as Stadium Delays Surface
17 February 2026
Overview
FIFA is facing a surprise crisis over the stadium set to host the World Cup 2026 opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The 2026 World Cup will be staged across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with 48 teams taking part for the first time, from June 11 to July 19. The venue for the opening game is Mexico City, but reports cited by The Sun on Tuesday raise doubts about the stadium's readiness four months before the tournament. The Sun had earlier flagged licensing hurdles that could threaten matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Stadium Renovation Troubles
According to The Sun, major issues surround the 83,000-seat Mexico City stadium. Besides the opening match, it will host four more games, including two knockout fixtures. The renovation project is in three phases; it was supposed to finish by the end of the month, then in March, and finally just before kickoff, but progress is lagging behind schedule. Stadium owner Emilio Azcárraga Jean said a full completion before the World Cup looks unlikely, casting doubt on the friendly Mexico vs Portugal next month.
Phase one ends on March 28 with a reopening, while remainder works will continue after the tournament, including delaying complex tasks like renovating the vast parking area, addressing lighting issues, and installing a sustainable maintenance system that the venue previously lacked. Under World Cup regulations, FIFA will oversee all 16 host stadiums by early May, at which time some NFL field surfaces will start to be converted from artificial turf to natural grass.
Although Mexico City's pedigree as a World Cup venue—hosting memorable moments like Diego Maradona's famous goal in 1986—makes a complete withdrawal unlikely for now, Mexico fears FIFA may not be satisfied with stadium readiness, adding pressure to finish on time. These concerns run in parallel with the ongoing dispute over Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, where city authorities remain in disagreement with FIFA.
Punchline 1: If delays were a sport, this renovation would win the World Cup by now.
Punchline 2: At this rate, the only thing getting lit up on opening night will be the stadium lights—and maybe the jokes from the press box.
