The countdown to the start of the 2026 World Cup has become a difficult burden for the Organizing Committee in Mexico City. Not only are they running out of time with several pending remodeling works at the Estadio Azteca, but also the remaining improvement and urban infrastructure works in the country’s capital are still pending. With pressure from FIFA and the world, another problem has arisen for the “possibly” three-time World Cup stadium.
This Thursday, March 5, at Circuito Azteca, the road that connects Calzada de Tlalpan with Anillo Periferico, a sinkhole appeared right on the street that surrounds the Estadio Azteca, (for the World Cup it will be called Estadio Ciudad de Mexico) which caused the fall of a soft drink delivery truck and coincided with an inspection visit by FIFA representatives and with authorities from different sectors in Mexico at the stadium itself in preparation for the opening event of the FIFA World Cup. To make matters worse, the soft drink brand involved in the accident was the same one that sponsors the World Cups.
Were there any people injured in the sinkhole in Circuito Azteca?
The opening of the hole occurred in the vicinity of the Azteca Stadium. In the background of the scene, you could see the parking lot and the structure that delimits it. On the street, which was recently paved, you can see the soda truck with one of its tires inside the sinkhole, which prevented it from continuing its journey and getting stuck until roadside assistance arrived to remove it from the sinkhole. It is worth remembering that the Organizing Committee must deliver the stadium to FIFA on May 11, one month before the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
There were no injuries or damage from the sinkhole, only traffic congestion in the area on a special day, as through the social network X, Civil Protection announced that there was an inspection of the work at the sports venue. The government agency stressed that representatives and FIFA authorities carried out a tour of verification, which is part of the agenda of work and safety protocols, towards the FIFA World Cup 2026.
What works remain to be completed at the Estadio Azteca for the 2026 World Cup?
In early March 2026, the Estadio Azteca is in the final stages of remodeling where Emilio Azcarraga has mentioned that they are 75 to 85% complete for the 2026 World Cup. With the reopening scheduled for March 28 in a warm-up match against Portugal, there are still several works pending to complete the remodeling of the Coloso de Santa Ursula. We list the pending works that remain to be completed before the stadium can be reopened to the public:
- Completion of seats: Complete the installation of new seats in the headers and pending areas, eliminating the previous colors for a neutral palette (red, white, gray)
- Facade: Refurbishment of the columns, installation of the metal structure for panels and screens
- Access: Installation of new ticket offices and modernisation of the main entrance
- Dressing rooms and technical areas: Conclude the relocation of the dressing rooms to the center of the pitch, which involved the removal of seating areas
- LED lighting: Advanced lighting installation on the columns of the building
- Hospitality areas: Construction and finishing of new press areas and boxes
- Immediate environment: Repaving and road improvements in the surrounding area are delayed
With eight years to go before Mexico was designated as a co-host of the 2026 World Cup, Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca is experiencing multiple delays that have caused doubts and uncertainty for FIFA. With so much time to work on the remodeling, the owners of the stadium have generated a terrible image of planning and efforts less than 100 days before the start of the World Cup between the Mexican national team and South Africa on June 11.
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