Estadio Azteca reopened on 28 March with a Mexico 0-0 Portugal friendly before 84,130 spectators. 1 The renovation that owner Emilio Azcárraga was "not sure" would be finished on time is done. The audio and video systems that passed testing on 23 March held up at match scale without fault. 2
The venue now carries three names at once. Commercially it is Estadio Banorte, under a sponsorship deal running to 2037. FIFA mandates it operate as Estadio Ciudad de Mexico during the tournament. Locals still call it El Coloso de Santa Ursula. 3 The Neighbourhood Assembly Against Megaprojects protested outside over water scarcity and the privatisation of Community space, though the demonstration did not disrupt proceedings. A near-capacity crowd for a non-competitive fixture suggests tournament demand will overwhelm supply; the cheapest official final ticket is already listed at $4,185 .
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from the Portugal squad, resting a muscle strain sustained on 28 February playing for Al Nassr. 4 Portugal dominated possession but created little, with Goncalo Ramos hitting the post. Israel Reyes earned man of the match as Mexico recorded their 10th clean sheet in 15 matches. At 41, Ronaldo's World Cup fitness has shifted from certainty to open question.
