We are getting closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which for the first time in history will be hosted by three different countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As a result, the qualified national teams are already fine-tuning their preparations to arrive in top condition for the summer, and one of the teams to watch will undoubtedly be Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo.
During the March FIFA international window, the Portuguese national team will travel to Mexico City to face the Mexican National Team in an international friendly match, to be played at the Azteca Stadium (Banorte) as part of both teams’ preparation. This match will also serve to reopen the historic stadium, which will become the first venue in the world to host matches in three different World Cups.
The game has generated huge excitement due to the possible presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who could play for the first time at the legendary Azteca Stadium, a venue that once hosted icons such as Pelé and Diego Armando Maradona, widely regarded as two of the greatest footballers of all time.
The iconic stadium now awaits the Portuguese star
Cristiano Ronaldo is an idol to millions around the world, and his potential visit to Mexico has drawn massive attention.
Within the Mexican squad, when it seemed that Luis Ángel Malagón had a clear path to becoming the team’s starting goalkeeper, head coach Javier Aguirre opted to start Raúl Rangel in the last two friendly matches. This decision has sparked speculation that the Chivas goalkeeper could be gaining an edge in the race to become Mexico’s starting keeper at the World Cup.
The final decision will likely be revealed during the March FIFA window, specifically on March 28 against Portugal. In the meantime, Raúl Rangel was asked about facing Cristiano Ronaldo and emphasized how meaningful the matchup would be:
“I consider myself a balanced person with my emotions, and I try to approach every match the same way. Obviously, there’s something extra about facing one of your childhood idols-someone who is globally recognized and serves as an example,” Rangel said.
There is no doubt that the Mexico vs. Portugal match will be one of the most attractive fixtures in March. Mexican fans are closely watching the squad announcements, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence would be a disappointment-but his presence would make for an unforgettable night at the newly renovated Azteca Stadium.
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