Mexico City’s historic Azteca Stadium reopened its doors to the public on Saturday, hosting a friendly match between Mexico and Portugal in a major test of its World Cup readiness. The long-awaited event, however, was marred by protests in the capital and a fatal accident inside the revamped venue.
The match, the first at the stadium in nearly two years, was a key moment for fans to experience the atmosphere ahead of Mexico’s opening World Cup game against South Africa on June 11. The stadium, a co-host venue for the 2026 tournament, has undergone extensive renovations, increasing its capacity to 87,500 and featuring significant upgrades to audio, video, internet, and fan amenities.
Attendees noted a heavy security presence, with road closures and a large operation in place. “We walked about a kilometre, but it felt very safe the whole way,” said Luis Camarena, a 40-year-old businessman attending with his family. Another fan, Mariluly Cuesta, said the experience was “very well organised” despite the heightened measures. The festive mood was overshadowed shortly before kickoff when a man died after falling from a box seat area, according to local authorities.
Outside the stadium, the celebratory mood was not universal. Protesters staged a demonstration on a major highway nearby, turning it into a makeshift football pitch to highlight shortages of housing, water, transport, and electricity in the local area.
Kane’s fitness central to England’s World Cup hopes
As host nations finalise preparations, the focus for other contenders turns to key players. Former England captain Wayne Rooney believes Harry Kane’s fitness will be central to England’s hopes at the North American tournament. “I think such an important aspect for England is having Harry Kane fit and if he is, then he’ll be a major reason why we do win it if we do,” Rooney told the Press Association.
Rooney doubts the 32-year-old striker, who has scored 48 goals in 40 appearances for Bayern Munich this season, will slow down to protect himself. With Bayern nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and in the Champions League quarter-finals, Rooney said Kane will be fully focused on club duties until the season ends. “Any player will tell you that you’re playing for your club and when you’re playing for your club, that’s all that matters,” he added.
Scotland stutter, Italy face high-stakes playoff
Elsewhere in World Cup preparation, Scotland suffered a 1-0 defeat to Japan in a warm-up friendly at Hampden Park. Junya Ito’s 84th-minute winner secured the victory for Japan, extending Scotland’s winless streak in home friendlies to 11 matches. Scotland defender Jack Hendry called it a “good test,” but manager Steve Clarke expressed disappointment at the “negative reaction” from some home fans after the match.
Attention now turns to the final European playoff, a winner-takes-all showdown between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday in Zenica. Italy, having missed the last two World Cups, face immense pressure. Despite a disciplined performance in their last outing, they were described as not looking like “world beaters” against Northern Ireland. Bosnia, having eliminated Wales on penalties, are seen as dangerous underdogs with “nothing to lose.” Veteran striker Edin Džeko remains their key threat.
WSL: Russo fires Arsenal, Chelsea chase Champions League spot
In the Women’s Super League, Alessia Russo’s rapid first-half hat-trick powered Arsenal to a 5-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, their 11th consecutive win in all competitions. The result lifts Arsenal to second in the table. Tottenham’s defensive struggles continued, having now conceded five goals in two consecutive league games.
Later, Chelsea host Aston Villa in a match critical for their Women’s Champions League qualification hopes. Chelsea have won all 11 of their previous WSL meetings with Villa. In another fixture, struggling West Ham United, with the league’s worst defensive record, face London City Lionesses.
Beyond the elite, FC Thun are on the verge of a historic Swiss Super League title, leading the table by a significant margin in a story compared to Leicester City’s Premier League triumph. In England’s League Two, Harrogate Town face a serious relegation threat, being the division’s lowest scorers with only 29 goals in 40 games.
