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Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
World Cup stadium looks totally unrecognisable with cranes on pitch and seats ripped out
It will be the biggest stadium used for the 2026 World Cup AZT TO CHANGE World Cup stadium looks totally unrecognisable with cranes on pitch and seats ripped out Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE iconic Estadio Banorte looks unrecognisable as work on it's epic World Cup revamp continues. Mexico's national stadium - where Diego Maradona scored his Hand of God goal against England in 1986 - will host the opening game of the 2026 World Cup. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The iconic Estadio Banorte looks unrecognisable Credit: AFP 8 All near-81,000 seats have been ripped out of the arena Credit: AFP 8 The ground is undergoing an £80million renovation before the 2026 World Cup Credit: AFP The previously named the Estadio Azteca is undergoing changes in order to be fully modernised for next summer's tournament. The venue for the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, the stadium will become the first to host three World Cups when it puts on the 2026 competition, which will be played across Mexico, the United States and Canada. With a record 48 teams, a whopping 16 venues, three countries and 16 cities are needed for the next World Cup. The stadium was renamed the Estadio Banorte as part of an £80million sponsorship deal in March. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS 'STARSTRUCK' Grealish poses with unrecognisable Prem icon and calls him his 'boyhood hero' Owner group Ollamani received an £80million loan from Banorte, a major Mexican bank that will be repaid over 12 years. One of the development project's main goals is to maintain the historic identity of the ground, as capacity jumps from 81,000 to 90,000. New pictures show the turf completely torn up , with several cranes and trucks working to relay the dirt and mend the stands. The iconic exterior columns will be refurbished and enhanced with special lighting to highlight the architecture during night matches. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But the biggest changes are happening inside the walls, with the stands currently grey after almost every seat was ripped up. The previous VIP area has been completely demolished and rebuilt, while new stands will tower over the old ones. Birmingham give update on new £3billion stadium as they announce major development 8 The stadium closed in 2024 to begin remodelling work Credit: AFP 8 The Banorte Stadium (formerly known as Azteca) is hoping to open up in early 2026 Credit: AFP The changes will also see new locker rooms, referee zones, hospitality suites, a press room, and other facilities designed to meet Fifa's highest standards. Strict Fifa sponsorship rules, however, dictates that the stadium will still be referred to as Estadio Azteca throughout next year's World Cup. Closed since 2024 due to remodeling work, the Estadio Banorte is expected to finish construction later this year or in early 2026. The name change will mark the second in the stadium's 58-year existence after briefly being called Estadio Guillermo Canedo in 1997. It will be the biggest stadium used for the 2026 World Cup and is scheduled to host two of Mexico's three group matches, including the tournament's opening game on June 11 next year. Despite the stadium's prestige, only five of the tournament's 104 matches will take place in Mexico City. Mexican side Club America usually play their home games there. 8 It will be the biggest stadium used for the 2026 World Cup, and the first to host three World Cups 8 Diego Maradona's Hand of God goal took place at Mexico City's iconic stadium
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
World Cup stadium looks totally unrecognisable with cranes on pitch and seats ripped out
THE iconic Estadio Banorte looks unrecognisable as work on it's epic World Cup revamp continues. 's national stadium - where Diego Maradona scored his Hand of God goal against England in 1986 - will host the opening game of the 2026 World Cup . Advertisement 8 The iconic Estadio Banorte looks unrecognisable Credit: AFP 8 All near-81,000 seats have been ripped out of the arena Credit: AFP 8 The ground is undergoing an £80million renovation before the 2026 World Cup Credit: AFP The previously named the Estadio Aztec a is undergoing changes in order to be fully modernised for next summer's tournament. The venue for the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals, the stadium will become the first to host three World Cups when it puts on the 2026 competition, which will be played across Mexico, the United States and Canada. With a are needed for the next World Cup. The stadium was renamed the Estadio Banorte as part of an £80million sponsorship deal in March. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Owner group Ollamani received an £80million loan from Banorte, a major Mexican bank that will be repaid over 12 years. One of the development project's main goals is to maintain the historic identity of the ground, as capacity jumps from 81,000 to 90,000. New pictures show the turf completely torn up , with several cranes and trucks working to relay the dirt and mend the stands. The iconic exterior columns will be refurbished and enhanced with special lighting to highlight the architecture during night matches. Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But the biggest changes are happening inside the walls , with the stands currently grey after almost every seat was ripped up. The previous VIP area has been completely demolished and rebuilt, while new stands will tower over the old ones. Birmingham give update on new £3billion stadium as they announce major development 8 The stadium closed in 2024 to begin remodelling work Credit: AFP Advertisement 8 The Banorte Stadium (formerly known as Azteca) is hoping to open up in early 2026 Credit: AFP The changes will also see new locker rooms, referee zones, hospitality suites, a press room, and other facilities designed to meet Fifa's highest standards. Strict Fifa sponsorship rules, however, dictates that the stadium will still be referred to as Estadio Azteca throughout next year's World Cup. Closed since 2024 due to remodeling work, the Estadio Banorte is expected to Advertisement The name change will mark the second in the stadium's 58-year existence after briefly being called Estadio Guillermo Canedo in 1997. It will be the biggest stadium used for the 2026 World Cup and is scheduled to host two of Mexico's three group matches, including the tournament's opening game on June 11 next year. Despite the stadium's prestige, only five of the tournament's 104 matches will take place in Mexico City. Mexican side Club America usually play their home games there. Advertisement 8 It will be the biggest stadium used for the 2026 World Cup, and the first to host three World Cups 8 Diego Maradona's Hand of God goal took place at Mexico City's iconic stadium 8 Pele won the 1970 World Cup at the Estadio Azteca
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
‘Hand of Neymar' earns Brazilian red card in potential last game for Santos
Neymar has spoken about the affect Diego Maradona had on his career after meeting him as a child but his bid to emulate the late Argentine great's 'Hand of God' goal backfired on Sunday when he was sent off in what could be his last game for Santos. With Santos and Botafogo locked at 0-0 heading into the last 15 minutes of their Brazilian league game, Neymar launched himself at a rebound in the penalty area and steered the ball into the net with his hand. The Brazilian was quickly surrounded by furious Botafogo players before the referee flashed a second yellow card at the forward, cutting short his first start for the club since he made his return from injury last month. Rubbing salt into the wound, Botafogo scored with four minutes left to secure a 1-0 victory.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Feels like she's been with us for years' – RTE football pundit & wife joyful after birth of second child
RICHIE Sadlier and wife Fiona have revealed the birth of their second child - a daughter they've named Molly. They're now a family of four having 4 The 46-year-old cradling his newborn daughter Credit: @richiesadlier 4 He also shared this photo of wife Fiona holding her Credit: @richiesadlier 4 They had had the name Molly in their minds since 2018 Credit: @richiesadlier 4 Big brother Sam saying hello for the first time Credit: @richiesadlier In an emotional Instagram post, Richie shared photos from the maternity hospital as the whole family got acquainted with one another. Speaking from the heart he recounted: "Say hi to our gorgeous little daughter, Sam's little sister … Molly. "We decided on the name Molly in August 2018 when we began our first round of IVF. "We didn't have a boy's name picked, so from then on, every follicle, egg and embryo we encountered along the way was referred to as Molly. Read More On Irish Football "The room that could become a child's bedroom in our new home in 2020 was called Molly's room. "On our good days, long before there was a pregnancy, we wondered what Molly will think of us as parents, and what kind of kid she would be. "On our tougher days, during four years of unsuccessful fertility treatment, we questioned whether we'd ever get to meet her. "We never said the name to anyone in all that time, agreeing never to say it unless she made it. Most read in Football "She was born on May 20, and came home with us three days later, but it honestly feels like she's been with us for years." The welcome update on Neymar SENT OFF for attempting to score Maradona-style Hand of God goal ours after old club PSG win Champions League Ireland legend and fellow In a similar vein, another ex-Ireland WNT star in Stephanie Zambra expressed her delight at seeing and hearing the happy news. The former Two greats from the men's national team in Lastly, Since Molly was actually born almost two weeks ago, Sadlier had been able to carry out his media work as per usual over the weekend. This of course revolved around the national broadcaster's coverage of the Champions League final on Saturday night. He was in studio alongside Stephen Kelly and Kevin Doyle as they acclaimed one of the all-time great European Cup final displays by
The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Neymar Sent Off for Handball in Possible Santos Farewell
NEYMAR has spoken about the impact Diego Maradona had on his career after meeting him as a child but his bid to emulate the late Argentine great's 'Hand of God' goal backfired on Sunday when he was sent off in what could be his last game for Santos. With Santos and Botafogo locked at 0-0 heading into the last 15 minutes of their Brazilian league game, Neymar launched himself at a rebound in the penalty area and steered the ball into the net with his hand. The Brazilian was quickly surrounded by furious Botafogo players before the referee flashed a second yellow card at the forward, cutting short his first start for the club since he made his return from injury last month. Rubbing salt into the wound, Botafogo scored with four minutes left to secure a 1-0 victory. The 33-year-old former Barcelona and Paris St Germain attacker later apologised to his team and fans. 'I made a mistake, forgive me!' he posted on social media. 'Today, if I hadn't been sent off, I'm sure we would have gotten the three points. You can count these three points against me!' Neymar had returned to his boyhood club Santos in January after a stint at Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, with his contract at the Brazilian side running until June 30. The red card rules him out of Santos's match against Fortaleza on Thursday, meaning he will only be able to play for the club again if he extends his contract before the league's resumption in July following the Club World Cup. Santos are 18th in the league having lost seven of their 11 matches.
