Guadalajara Hosts World Cup Matches 40 Years After 1986
9 reported
Guadalajara, Mexico, is hosting World Cup matches for the third time in 2026, 40 years after it last hosted in 1986. The city welcomed South Korea versus Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium on June 12, 2026, in the opening round. In 1986, matches were held at Jalisco Stadium, where France defeated Brazil in a penalty shootout quarterfinal. The current Guadalajara Stadium, built in 2010, sits on land that was farmland in 1986 and was designed to resemble the nearby volcanic terrain. The Guadalajara metro area population has grown from about 2.7 million in 1986 to more than 5.5 million now. A 9.5-meter bronze statue of Pelé was erected in the city in May 2026 to commemorate his 1970 World Cup performances at Jalisco Stadium. Animals at Guadalajara Zoo are also participating in festivities by "predicting" match winners.
What’s reported
Guadalajara last hosted World Cup games in 1986 and is hosting again in 2026.
South Korea faced Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium on June 12, 2026, in the opening round.
In 1986, matches were held at Jalisco Stadium, where France beat Brazil in a penalty shootout quarterfinal.
Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron) was built in 2010 on land that was farmland in 1986.
The stadium was designed to resemble the nearby Sierra la Primavera volcanic complex.
The Guadalajara metro area population grew from about 2.7 million in 1986 to more than 5.5 million now.
A 9.5-meter bronze statue of Pelé was erected in the city in May 2026.
Animals at Guadalajara Zoo are "predicting" match winners; a puma named Muluk predicted South Korea would beat Czechia.
Guadalajara will host four first-round matches: South Korea vs. Czechia (June 12), Mexico vs. South Korea (June 18), Colombia vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo (June 23), and Uruguay vs. Spain (June 26).
Key figures
Pelé: Brazilian football player commemorated with a statue in Guadalajara.
Muluk: A puma at Guadalajara Zoo that predicted a match winner.
Sources: NASA
