The Estadio Azteca, home of the ‘Hand of God’ and countless historic battles, is set to write a new chapter in its storied history. With Mexico and Bafana Bafana set to face off at the 87,000-capacity venue on June 11, FARPost takes a look at the iconic moments that have cemented the stadium’s place in global football.
Anticipation is reaching fever pitch in Mexico as the country prepares for a nostalgic reunion. The upcoming clash between the hosts and Bafana Bafana mirrors the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, which ended in a tense 1-1 draw.
With the roles now reversed and Mexico hosting this time, the world waits to see if Bafana Bafana can spoil the party. Both nations are joined by South Korea and the Czech Republic in a competitive Group A.
THE INFAMOUS ‘HAND OF GOD’
Few venues are as steeped in folklore as the Estadio Azteca. It remains forever linked to the 1986 quarter-final between Argentina and England, where Diego Maradona produced perhaps the most controversial moment in football history.
Maradona used his hand to score—a goal later dubbed “The Hand of God”—before Argentina ultimately claimed the trophy by defeating West Germany in the final.
THE AZTECA: WRITING A NEW CHAPTER WITH BAFANA BAFANA
As the Estadio Azteca prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener between Mexico and Bafana Bafana on June 11, the “Mecca of Football” is set to cement its unique place in history. The venue will become the first stadium in the world to host three opening matches of a Men’s World Cup.
The stadium first opened its doors for a World Cup opener in 1970, when Mexico played to a 0-0 draw against the Soviet Union. That tournament culminated in a iconic victory for Pelé’s Brazil, who defeated Italy 4-1 in the final. The second opener at the venue followed in 1986, which saw Italy draw 1-1 with Bulgaria.
It was also in the same tournament where current Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and his Belgium teammates lost 2-1 against hosts Mexico in their opening match at the same venue on 3 June, 1986.
Despite finishing third in the Group behind Mexico and Paraguay, Broos and Belgium qualified for the knockout stages and finished fourth after losing to France in the third-place playoff.
40 years later, Broos returns to the same stadium as the head coach of South Africa after helping them qualify for the World football showpiece for the first time in 16 years.
Besides Mexico being the favourites, the 74-year-old will take comfort in the fact that the two previous opening matches at the venue ended in stalemates. A good result for South Africa would go a long way toward cementing a spot in the knockout stages for the first time in their World Cup history.
Ofhani Munyai is in Mexico City ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match with FARPost.
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