Maradona and Pelé will be honored at the inauguration of the 2026 World Cup

Published at: 10/06/2026 10:24 PM

FIFA will pay a historic tribute to Diego Armando Maradona and Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, during the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held this Thursday, June 11 at the Mexico City Stadium, the Colossus of Saint Ursula. The event will take place on the same lawn where both football stars achieved eternal consecration by lifting the world trophies of 1970 and 1986, respectively.

The initiative seeks to connect the legacy of the two greatest sports legends with the start of an unprecedented tournament that will have 48 teams for the first time.

The segment dedicated to the Argentine star will relive his exploits of 1986 in that same venue, where he signed indelible works of art such as “The Hand of God” and the catalogued “Goal of the Century” in front of the England squad. The tribute will be attended by prominent figures in South American and international football who will accompany the memory of his legacy almost six years after his physical disappearance.

In addition, the recognition will be extended to Brazil's legendary 1970 national team after commemorating the technical feat led by Pelé when he defeated Italy 4-1. This emotional ceremony will mark the first opening of a world cup event without the physical presence of the Brazilian king, so historical legends will come to preserve the memory of the champions of the last century.

The International Federation and Italian producer Marco Balich designed an unprecedented opening format that includes three independent ceremonies in each country hosting the festival. However, the Mexico City Stadium will make history by becoming the first venue on the planet to host three consecutive World Cup opening games after the 1970 and 1986 editions.

Local authorities confirmed that the doors of the sports complex will open four hours before the official Group A commitment between Mexico and South Africa to expedite the entry of fans. The organizing committees emphasized that comprehensive planning safeguards the safety of fans in the vicinity of the restored public venue.

Mazo News Team