Mexico reportedly targeting Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal for Azteca Stadium reopening match ahead of 2026 World Cup

El Tri want to return to the iconic venue before the tournament kicks off, and hope to do it against one of Europe’s top sides

• The World Cup will open at the Azteca on June 11, 2026
• Ronaldo and Portugal are being lined up as Mexico’s opponent
• The friendly would take place during the March FIFA window

• AFP
  

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Mexican National Team is exploring the possibility of staging a high-profile friendly against Portugal to mark the reopening of the legendary Estadio Azteca, according to reports from FOX Sports.

  The match would be scheduled for the March 2026 international window, serving as one of the final tune-ups before the World Cup kicks off that summer.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Portugal, the current UEFA Nations League champions, are seen as the ideal rival for the symbolic event, with Cristiano Ronaldo potentially making one last visit to Mexico’s most iconic venue.

  The last time the two nations met was at the 2017 Confederations Cup, where they drew 2-2 in the group stage before Portugal later claimed a 2-1 victory in the third-place playoff.

• AFP
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Mexico already has a busy slate of warm-up matches confirmed as part of their World Cup preparations:

  Sept. 6: vs Japan – Oakland Coliseum

  Sept. 9: vs South Korea – Geodis Park, Nashville

  Oct. 11: vs Colombia – AT&T Stadium, Texas

  Oct. 14: vs Ecuador – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara

  Nov. 15: vs Uruguay – TSM Estadio Corona, Torreón

  Nov. 18: vs Paraguay – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey

  If the deal goes through, the clash with Portugal would be the last big test before El Tri officially opens the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11 at the Azteca.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MEXICO NATIONAL TEAM?

  México faces Japan this Saturday at the Oakland Coliseum.