Stadium scheduled to hostMexico vs South Africa match at the 2026 World Cup is sinking

Concerns are mounting that the Estadio Azteca, which will host the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, is experiencing subsidence, after fans reported seeing pieces of concrete detach, according to The Sun.

The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City opened in 1966 and is regarded as one of the world’s most iconic football venues.

It hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986 and is slated to hold five matches during this summer’s tournament, with a capacity of 72,766.

These matches include the opening game—Mexico versus South Africa on June 11—and a possible round‑of‑16 encounter between the co‑hosts and England.

Nevertheless, significant safety concerns have emerged only a month before the opening match.

Video footage posted by fans on social media from last Monday’s Liga MX Clausura quarter‑final between Club América and Pumas UNAM has raised alarm.

The clips, taken at the Azteca—also known as Banorte Stadium—showed loose concrete fragments, including in a stand section that was recently renovated for the World Cup.

No injuries have been reported, but a fan managed to pick up a sizable piece that had broken away and told the camera, “I have a souvenir from the match.”

Additional renovation work has addressed the façade, access routes, changing rooms, lighting and hospitality areas.

At the reopening match between Mexico and Portugal at the end of March, a fan died after falling from