Latest news with #AztecaStadium
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Peter Shilton's ‘Hand Of God' Shirt To Be Sold Ahead Of 2026 World Cup
Diego Maradona of Argentina #10 shakes hands with Peter Shilton of England under the watching eye of ... More referee Ali Bin Nasser (c) before the 1986 FIFA World Cup Quarter Final on 22 June 1986 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by David Cannon/Allsport/Getty Images) The jersey worn by Peter Shilton when he faced Diego Maradona in an infamous 1986 World Cup quarter-final will be sold as part of an auction leading up to the 2026 finals. Shilton was the captain of an England team defeated by Argentina and two notorious goals scored by Maradona. The first was illegally handled past the goalkeeper but was mistakenly allowed to stand in the days before the implementation of Video Assistant Referees (VAR). The second, scored just four minutes later, is considered the greatest of all time, the so-called Goal of the Century. The photograph of Maradona punching the ball past Shilton - an incident which has become known as the Hand of God - is still perhaps the most famous sporting image of all time. Despite an illustrious 20-year international career during which he became the most-capped player in his country's history, Shilton has become a prisoner of the incident, forever remembered wearing the grey shirt and his inability to beat the smaller Maradona to the ball. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 22: Argentina player Diego Maradona outjumps England goalkeeper Peter ... More Shilton to score with his 'Hand of God' goal as England defenders Kenny Sansom (top) Gary Stevens (c) and Terry Fenwick look on during the 1986 FIFA World Cup Quarter Final at the Azteca Stadium on June 22, 1986 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo) The infamy of the moment has inflated any memorabilia associated with the match far above anything else known in sport. In 2022, the dark blue jersey worn by Maradona was sold by Steve Hodge, the England midfielder who swapped shirts with him after the game. The final valuation was a world record for a match-worn jersey with the hammer going down at the English auction house Sotheby's as bidding reached $8.9 million ($9.3 million including fees). Now Graham Budd Auctions has included the shirt worn by Shilton, the other protagonist in the so-called 'Hand of God' incident, as it's star attraction among a roadshow of World Cup memorabilia which will be sold in the lead up to the 2026 tournament to held in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Supporters will be encouraged to bring their own collectibles to be valued by Graham Budd Auctions which can be added to the lots on sale. Peter Shilton's match-worn jersey from the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Argentina The grey goalkeeper jersey worn by Shilton during the entirety of the 1986 World Cup quarter-final was sold by the former England captain to a private collector many years ago and is now being auctioned next year by an anonymous private collector. Graham Budd has placed a reserve price of between $268,000-$400,000 on the 40-year-old nylon shirt manufactured by Umbro. It is understood that Shilton, now aged 75, will not have anything to do with the auction. England's goalkeepers had always traditionally worn yellow, green and blue shirts depending on the kits worn by the opposition team. A new first choice all-grey kit was introduced for the start of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Unlike the shirts provided for the England outfield players to wear in the midday heat, it was fitted with no ventilation. The 1986 kit featured the first England shirts to have a tournament inscription woven in blue thread under the Three Lions crest. Unlike the subsequently produced replica versions, the match-worn jerseys from the 1986 World Cup had no space between the lettering 'Mexico'86' (sic). This particular kit was only worn by Shilton during the five matches England played in Mexico during the 1986 World Cup. Extensive photo matching comparing the shirt's stripes with the jerseys worn in the other four games conclusively prove that the item on auction is the one Shilton sported during the game against Argentina. The winners medal presented to Pelé at the end of the 1958 FIFA World Cup final Also featured among the Graham Budd World Cup collection to be auctioned next year is the original World Cup winners medal presented to Pelé at the end of the 1958 World Cup, the shirt worn by Alan Ball during the 1966 World Cup final and England goalkeeper Gordon Banks' winners medal from the same match. Like the Shilton shirt, all of these items have six-figure valuations. The items will be displayed at various locations around the United Kingdom in the run up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup which marks the 60th anniversary of England's only victory in the competition and the 40th anniversary of the 'Hand of God' match.
Washington Post
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
FIFA announces details to apply for World Cup tickets
Applications for tickets for the 2026 World Cup open Sept. 10, FIFA said Tuesday. The next edition of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, kicks off at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11. Soccer's world governing body FIFA said that due to anticipated high demand tickets would be released in phases.
Associated Press
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
FIFA announces details to apply for World Cup tickets
Applications for tickets for the 2026 World Cup open Sept. 10, FIFA said Tuesday. The next edition of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, kicks off at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11. Soccer's world governing body FIFA said that due to anticipated high demand tickets would be released in phases. It did not say if it would use dynamic pricing, as was the case for the Club World Cup, which saw ticket prices fluctuate wildly. 'We're looking forward to welcoming the world back to North America, as Canada, Mexico and the United States host what will be the biggest and greatest sporting event ever,' FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement. 'We encourage fans everywhere to get ready to secure their place — these will be the most coveted seats in world sport.' ___ AP soccer:
Asharq Al-Awsat
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Mexico City Mayor Pledges Warm Welcome for All 2026 World Cup Fans
Mexico City will embrace fans from all nations and cultures during the 2026 World Cup, Mayor Clara Brugada said on Wednesday as she unveiled the countdown clock marking one year to the tournament's return to the Mexican capital. As the city prepares to host the World Cup for the third time, Brugada stressed the importance of inclusion and openness, framing a contrast to anti-immigration measures in co-host nation the United States under President Donald Trump. "All football fans are welcome here. In this city, no one is a foreigner," Brugada said at the FIFA event. "We will joyfully welcome those who come from all corners of the globe, with their music, their colors, their languages and their passion. We think diversity is our greatest treasure." "Today is a very special day for Mexico City. We are exactly 365 days away from opening our doors to the world and hosting, for the third time, the opening of a World Cup, something that no other city on the planet has ever achieved." Addressing concerns from residents near the Azteca Stadium, Mayor Brugada assured them that they would benefit from over six billion pesos in investments aimed at upgrading public services and infrastructure. "We will strengthen the rights of residents with more water, better public spaces and more services," Reuters quoted her as saying. "We are therefore building a legacy, and that is something that fills us with pride. That is why we have made a historic investment in works, infrastructure, water, security and mobility." In addition, as part of the festivities leading up to the 2026 World Cup, more than 40 buildings and landmarks in Mexico City will be illuminated in green on Wednesday night.
Washington Post
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Azteca Stadium to feature hybrid field, modern amenities for 2026 World Cup
MEXICO CITY — A hybrid field, updated locker rooms, elevators and hospitality zones are among the new features of Azteca Stadium for the 2026 World Cup . Ollamani, the sports entertainment company that owns the stadium, also confirmed Wednesday that Azteca will reopen March 28, which will be 75 days before the start of the World Cup as Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada announced recently. 'The centerpiece of the stadium's renovation is the people who visit it. Our main objective is to substantially improve their experience in every way,' stadium director Felix Aguirre said in a statement. The iconic venue closed last May for renovations ahead of next year's 48-team competition hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. The 83,000-seat Azteca, which recently was renamed , will host five games including the tournament opener. It also hosted the first matches in the 1970 and 1986 World Cups. Ollamani, which is affiliated with Grupo Televisa, Mexico's largest television network, also said the stadium will have bigger capacity, but did not specify how many extra seats it will have. It will be the second time that Azteca has a hybrid pitch — one was installed in 2018 but returned to natural grass a year later. The poor field conditions in November 2018 forced a last-minute change of venue for an NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams. 'The pitch, being subjected to intensive use, will have a new ventilation and suction system, thereby achieving better recovery, stability and resistance,' Ollamani said in a statement. The new locker rooms will be located at the center of the stadium under the luxury boxes and with a tunnel leading to the pitch. Before, they were located in the north and south part of it. 'The project includes new facilities in the competition areas, improving the experience of the player, fans and media in line with the most modern stadiums in the world,' the company said. The plan includes installing large LED screens inside and outside the stadium. Before the renovations, the stadium had just two big screens that were installed in 2015. Ollamani did not provided specific details about elevators or escalators. In the past, the only way to move between the lower and upper sections was using an old ramp. The hospitality zones were also a necessity. The old stadium had a small concession area outside the venue, but inside there were no food courts and the fans were forced to buy from the vendors roaming the seating area. Among other renovations, the stadium owner also announced a new press box area, improved restrooms, a 200-unit CCTV surveillance system and a new sound system. Originally, a major renovation was planned including a shopping center and hotel, but residents of Santa Úrsula, a popular neighborhood located south of the capital, opposed them. Ollamani said that the facade and the roof will be renovated 'to improve the stadium appearance without losing its essence.' Earlier in the year, images were released of work done on the pitch and the lower seats. The luxury boxes apparently haven't been touched because some owners refuse to release them to FIFA . The box owners recently filed a complaint with Mexico's consumer protection agency seeking clarity over use of the seating for the 2026 World Cup. ___ AP soccer:
