A football fan has died after falling at the stadium which will host the 2026 World Cup opener, authorities have confirmed.On Saturday, the ​Estadio Banorte, also known as Azteca Stadium, reopened to stage a friendly fixture between Mexico and Portugal.The stadium has been newly renovated and the game served as a test ahead of opening ceremony and first World Cup game between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa on June 11.But the game was overshadowed by a tragedy which saw a man fall to his death prior to kick-off. Reuters reported that the fan, who authorities say was, intoxicated, attempted to jump from a box seat area on the second level.He climbed around the exterior of the structure in an attempt to get to the first level but fell onto the car park and died.A football fan tragically died moments before Mexico’s friendly against Portugal at the Azteca Stadium on Saturday evening.

The stadium, which is due to host the opening game of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, was used for the first time since undergoing extensive renovations.The game, which ended in a goalless draw, was marred by a tragic accident ahead of kick-off which saw a fan lose their life.Per Reuters, a man, who was intoxicated, attempted to jump from ​the second-level box seats to ​the ⁠first level by climbing along the exterior of the structure. He fell onto the car park and was later confirmed to have died.The Mexico City Public Prosecutor’s Office took to X to release a statement on the matter and said they “will continue the investigations thoroughly” and “keep the public informed as relevant developments are obtained”.“Mexico City Public Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalia CDMX) deeply regrets the death of a person on Saturday, 28 March inside the Banorte Stadium, prior to the start of the Mexican national team’s friendly match, the statement read, roughly translated.”