2026 World Cup stadium played host to 'Game of the Century' and 'Hand of God'

The venues for the 2026 World Cup have been confirmed - and the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City already has a World Cup heritage that few stadiums on the planet can rival

The host venues for the 2026 World Cup - held in the US, Canada, and Mexico - were announced on Friday.

And one stadium already has a rich World Cup heritage: the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The Azteca has already hosted two World Cups, hosting the final on each occasion, with Mexico holding the tournament in 1970 and 1986.

However, it's highly unlikely it will hold a third when football's biggest festival comes to town in four years' time. The Azteca may be looking northwards with jealousy - but it holds a World Cup heritage that few other venues can match.

In 1970, 100,000 packed into the Azteca to watch the 'Game of the Century' between Italy and West Germany.

The two footballing powerhouses clashed in the semi-finals and Italy looked like they were cruising to a 1-0 win - until Karl-Heinz Schnellinger fired the German's level in added time. The goals started flying in extra-time - with the Italians emerging 4-3 winners.

The game also produced the iconic image of Franz Beckenbauer playing in a sling after dislocating his shoulder but being forced to play on.

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16 years later, when the World Cup returned to Mexico, the Azteca was at the centre of proceedings again.

This time it was Diego Maradona taking centre stage as he produced the 'Hand of God' by out-jumping Peter Shilton to send Argentina ahead against England. The English side were furious, and English fans branded the diminutive star a cheat.

But that was soon forgotten as he danced his way through England's resistance a couple of minutes later to bag the 'Goal of the Century'.