Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup: El Tri Again in Home Waters

Mexicanos love nothing more than football than they do their own team, El Tri. They have shown up at every World Cup tournament since 1994 with the largest and most committed group of fanatics both home and away in the Mexican population (as well as the millions of Mexican Americans in the United States), so it's great to see them at a home World Cup again (the last time was 1986). This will be the kickoff match of the entire tournament: Mexico plays against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, the largest stage the game has ever seen, in front of their home people.

If you're a Mexican fan and didn't get tickets for World Cup 2026 games either in Mexico or in the United States, get your World Cup 2026 Tickets NOW! Demand is high and good seats are gone. You won't find many, if any, left! El Tri will play at the Estadio Azteca, which has hosted two World Cup finals, including "the hand of god" goal. El Tri are playing on home soil for the very first time since 1986. The Azteca will host the opening match of the World Cup. The Estadio Azteca is known as the "House of the Aztecs," and is one of the oldest and most storied football pitches in the hemisphere. It'll set the tone of the tournament right out of the gate.

Can Mexico Make History in 2026?

Mexico has always been a nation with a passion for football; the only thing missing has been some success on the biggest stage. Mexico has never passed the round of 16 in World Cup history unless hosting the competition in both 1970 and 1986, when they had home-court and crowd advantage going for them. The advantage is there again in 2026, but will it be enough to push the Mexican team into the second week of games?

Mexico have a good squad for 2026 in Javier Aguirre's charge. Santiago Giménez has been one of Europe's best strikers in the last two seasons, giving Mexico a quality forward line that they have desperately needed in past years. Mexico have a solid defense in Edson Álvarez. Mexico's defense has improved significantly over the past decade and the team has had some confidence of late in the past two years. Mexico are in Group A alongside South Korea, South Africa, and Czechia. They should win at least one or two of these matches to secure a spot in the knockout phase of the World Cup. Whether they can then break the fifth-game barrier, with a partisan crowd pushing them, is the story this tournament will tell.

Travel and Entry for Mexican Fans

As one of the three co-hosts, Mexican fans attending games in their own country need no documentation beyond a match ticket. However, as Mexico advances to the knockout rounds (likely played in the US), fans will need to cross another border. Here's how.

United States: Mexico is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program, which means fans who hold Mexican nationality need a valid B-1/B-2 tourist visa to enter. The US State Department has established a dedicated page about visa processes at state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas. Any Mexican fans who don't have a valid US visa should apply now, as appointment availability at US Embassies in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey is extremely tight right now. Fans can apply online via the DS-160 form, then appear in-person with a valid passport, financial documents and documentation to show they're able to return home.

Canada: Mexican nationality holders need a visitor visa to enter Canada (though those who possess a valid US visa may be eligible for an electronic travel authorization or eTA when traveling by air — check the official Canadian government immigration website for current requirements). Canadian host cities probably aren't top destination choices for Mexican fans, but make sure to research requirements well in advance if you plan to be in Toronto.

Within Mexico: Mexico's host cities are connected by domestic flights, long-distance buses and, on some routes, trains. Mexico City's Benito Juárez (MEX) airport is a major international gateway. Fans who want to move between host cities during the games can take Aeromexico, Volaris and VivaAerobus flights domestically.

Host Cities: Mexico's World Cup Venues

Mexico will host matches across three cities, each with their own unique football culture.

Mexico City (Estadio Azteca): Azteca is one of the most renowned football stadiums in the world and certainly the most famous in the Americas. It has hosted two World Cup Finals (1970, 1986), the infamous Hand of God moment, and some of the biggest games in world football. It will kick off the tournament with the June 11 opener. Any true football fan visiting Mexico will want to catch a game at the Azteca, even if it means seeing a match between two teams they'd never heard of before.

Guadalajara (Estadio Akron): Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city, is known for its fervent football culture and is the home of Club Deportivo Guadalajara, known popularly as Chivas, one of the most widely supported clubs in the country. The western city will host its World Cup matches at a purpose-built, contemporary arena called the Estadio Akron.

Monterrey (Estadio BBVA): A major industrial center for Mexico and the site of one of the league's fiercest rivalries between Club de Fútbol Monterrey and C.F. Tigres, the city's Estadio BBVA has long been considered one of the world's best club stadiums and is home to breathtaking mountains that make it one of the most picturesque venues in this World Cup.

Hotels in the Mexican Host Cities

If you will be visiting one of the Mexican cities for the group stage, each of the three Mexican host cities has plenty of lodging options and all are substantially cheaper than you would see for US venues.

Mexico City: Of the neighborhoods in and around Mexico City, Polanco, Condesa and Roma Norte offer the best mix of accommodations, restaurants and cultural attractions. Options near the Estadio Azteca in southern Mexico City are more restricted, so the best option may be to choose a centrally located hotel and then utilize the Mexico City Metro or Uber service to get to the stadium on match day.

Guadalajara: Of the neighborhoods within Guadalajara itself, Providencia, Chapalita and Zona Rosa are the most popular among travelers. The Estadio Akron is in Zapopan, just on the northern outskirts of the city, and staying in hotels located in Zapopan would give the most direct access to the stadium.

Monterrey: San Pedro Garza García and the Barrio Antiguo in downtown are the most popular and visitor-friendly neighborhoods. The Estadio BBVA is located in nearby Guadalupe, a suburb on the city's eastern side, but most fans prefer to stay somewhere central and travel to the stadium on match day.

If you will also attend matches in the US during the knockout rounds, you may wish to make lodging reservations for both countries as early as possible, including a free cancellation date in your booking. Booking.com, Hotels.com and Expedia all offer this capability.

How to Get There

Direct flights are available to Mexico City from anywhere in North and South America, Europe and many other locations outside the Americas. Several airlines offer direct flights, including Aeromexico, American Airlines, Delta, United and Lufthansa to name a few. Mexico City's main airport, Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) is Mexico's busiest, followed by Guadalajara's Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL) and Monterrey's General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (MTY). Both GDL and MTY offer connections to the United States and many cities in Mexico.

Those fans from Mexico hoping to catch the knockout matches in the US will be able to fly from Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey directly to Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Miami and New York. These flights should be booked as soon as possible because prices will increase as the tournament gets closer.

Tickets

The only source for official tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (and, thus, any of the matches to be played in Mexico) is at FIFA.com. Be sure to check this website for remaining tickets, official ticket resales and hospitality opportunities. If you don't find what you're looking for on these official channels, avoid looking on social media, including Reddit and Facebook groups. Stick with verified resellers like Ticombo, Seatpick, and other trusted secondary marketplaces. All reseller ticket transactions will be guaranteed to fans. Bear in mind that prices on the secondary market will usually be higher than face value. Be aware that groups must also be booked in good time with the appropriate care — seating can often be separated and will depend on the layout of a particular venue.

What Mexican Fans Should Know

El Quinto Partido

With the Azteca packed out at every game, from the very first one, Mexico getting the chance to host the World Cup is a goal the nation has been working towards for quite some time now. El Tri possess all the components they need to finally make it to the round of eight or beyond. For any fanbase that supports the home team, the 2026 World Cup is the greatest of all opportunities.

If you don't have your Mexico World Cup 2026 Tickets (for the home games in Mexico or the knockouts in the US) yet, then get them now. This will be an event for the history books on home soil. Tickets will be going fast and you don't want to be missing out.

El Quinto Partido. This time, it may just be real.

Please note: Rules and conditions around visas, hotels and flights as well as ticket availability will always change. Fans should always double check the visa information for their country at your local embassy, FIFA's official websites and your respective airline. Ticket prices on the secondary market may vary from face value.