MEXICO CITY (AP) — Azteca Stadium will reopen in March when Mexico hosts Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo in a friendly match ahead of the 2026 World Cup , the Mexican soccer federation confirmed Tuesday.

The iconic stadium, closed since May of last year for renovations , will host five World Cup matches, including the opener on June 11.

Azteca, recently renamed Banorte Stadium , will become the first venue in history to host a third World Cup opening match. Mexico, which staged the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, is co-hosting next summer's tournament with the United States and Canada.

The match against Portugal will take place on March 28. Mexico also announced a warmup game against Belgium to be played three days later at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Coach Javier Aguirre said after a

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