With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming on the horizon, the crown jewel of Mexican soccer, the Estadio Azteca, remains a sprawling landscape of concrete dust, exposed steel bars, and cranes doing not very much work. New aerial photographs show the massive scale of the renovation – and the staggering amount of work left to do with months left until the tournament.
The iconic “Colossus of Santa Ursula” – as it’s known locally – which is set to become the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches, is currently a shell of its former self.
While the lush green pitch appears to be well-maintained and under active irrigation, the surrounding infrastructure tells a different story. Entire sections of the lower bowl are missing seating, with red and grey chairs stacked in chaotic piles, while the exterior facade is currently dominated by a bright red temporary wrap and a massive “T” logo, while the upper skeletal structure of the roof remains expose – basically, the stadium sign isn’t even finished yet.
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The slow progress has reportedly angered football icon Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team, who have expressed serious “concerns” regarding the delays. Portugal had been in talks to play a high-profile friendly against Mexico at the Azteca as part of their tournament preparations, but those plans are now in jeopardy with the game due to happen at the end of this month.
The renovations are intended to modernise the 1966-built stadium to meet rigorous FIFA standards, including upgraded luxury suites, improved media facilities, and enhanced fan concourses. However, the current state of the site suggests that construction crews are still in the heavy demolition and structural reinforcement phase – nowhere near where they should be with the tournament scheduled to start in June.
And Club America, who play at the stadium normally, have been competing at the Estadio Azulcrema for the last two years while works were carried out at their normal home.
They’re due to return on April 11 in a game against Cruz Azul, which is so far set to go ahead.
However, one official, Emilio Azcarraga (the current Club America chairman) was a bit more honest and claimed that it would be finished AFTER the World Cup, stating: “There are many things that, due to the complexity of the project, cannot be completed now. That’s why they will be finished after the World Cup.”
Despite the visible lack of completion, FIFA and local organisers maintain that the project is on schedule . . . despite the images showing something very different.
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