Uzbekistan vs Colombia – FIFA World Cup 2026 | Venue Guide

Group K · Matchday 1 | Wednesday 17 June 2026 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

The Stadium

There are football stadiums, and then there is Estadio Azteca. Sitting in the Coyoacán–Santa Úrsula district of southern Mexico City at an altitude of roughly 2,240 metres above sea level, El Coloso de Santa Úrsula is one of the most storied venues in the sport’s history — and on Wednesday 17 June 2026 (local time), it hosts Uzbekistan against Colombia in a Group K opener that will be many fans’ first time setting foot inside it.

The stadium was inaugurated in 1966 and has since hosted two FIFA World Cup finals: the 1970 edition, when Brazil lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy for the third time, and the 1986 edition, when Diego Maradona’s Argentina defeated West Germany. Both of those moments live in collective football memory, and you will feel their weight the moment you walk into the bowl. The venue also staged the famous 1986 quarter-final between Argentina and England — the match widely remembered for two of the most discussed goals in World Cup history.

For 2026, Azteca is one of three Mexican venues selected for the joint USA–Canada–Mexico tournament, and it reopens a chapter in a story that dates back sixty years. The stadium’s current configuration holds in excess of 80,000 spectators, making it one of the largest football-specific venues in the world. The structure is a classic multi-tiered concrete bowl, open to the sky at the top, which means that Mexico City’s afternoon rains — common in June — can reach the upper tiers. Bring a light waterproof.

The altitude is not a cosmetic detail: at over 2,200 metres, players and fans alike will notice thinner air. Supporters with respiratory sensitivities should plan accordingly, and arriving a day early to acclimatise is genuinely recommended, not just a travel cliché.

Getting There

The Azteca is served surprisingly well by public transport, which is fortunate because driving to a World Cup match in Mexico City is a project best avoided.

Metro: Line 2 (blue) of the Metro del Valle de México runs to Tasqueña station, and from there the Tren Ligero (light rail) Line 1 takes you directly to Estadio Azteca station — a journey of a few minutes. From the city-centre hub of Hidalgo or Bellas Artes, budget around 45–60 minutes in total including connections. Fares are fixed and low; have small change or a rechargeable card ready.

Bus (Metrobús): Line 4 of the Metrobús runs along Calzada de Tlalpan and stops close to the stadium. From the Buena Vista terminal in the north of the city, the end-to-end journey takes roughly an hour in normal traffic, but match-day road congestion makes this unpredictable.

From the airport (AICM – Terminal 1 or 2): Metro Line 5 (yellow) from Terminal Aérea station connects to the city network, from which you can transfer to Line 2 toward Tasqueña. Allow at least 90 minutes. Ride-share apps operate from the airport but surge pricing on match days can be significant.

Driving and parking: The stadium has parking lots, but they fill quickly and the surrounding road network becomes chaotic hours before kick-off. Unless you are travelling as a group from well outside the city, public transport is the practical choice.

Travelling From Each Home Country

From Uzbekistan: There are no non-stop flights from Tashkent (TAS) to Mexico City (MEX). The most common routings involve a connection in Istanbul (with Turkish Airlines), Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Madrid, with onward service to Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport. Total journey times from Tashkent typically range between 18 and 26 hours depending on layover duration. Uzbek fans should plan for a significant journey and consider arriving in Mexico City two or three days early, both to acclimatise to the altitude and to allow for any transit delays.

From Colombia: Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG) has multiple daily direct and one-stop flights to Mexico City. Direct flight time is approximately three hours, making this among the shorter international hops of the 2026 tournament for any competing nation. Colombian supporters travelling from Medellín (MDE) or Cali (CLO) can connect through Bogotá or access direct routes depending on the carrier. Visa requirements for Mexican entry should be checked well in advance, as regulations can change.

Tickets

FIFA is the sole official ticket vendor for the 2026 World Cup, and all purchases run through the official FIFA ticketing portal. Group stage tickets are typically allocated in phases — a general sales ballot followed by first-come, first-served windows — and for a match at Azteca, demand will be intense regardless of the specific teams involved. The combination of the venue’s iconic status, its place in Mexican football culture, and the novelty of a World Cup returning to the country means that face-value availability is likely to be limited by the time the tournament approaches.

Fans unable to secure tickets through FIFA’s official channels should be aware that FIFA operates a hospitality programme through its authorised partners, which includes match packages at higher price points. The secondary resale market will be active, but buyers should exercise caution: only use platforms that offer buyer guarantees, and be sceptical of street touts near the venue on match day. Counterfeit tickets are a documented risk at major tournaments.

Pricing tiers vary by category and seat location; FIFA has not published final pricing for 2026 at time of writing, so any specific figure you see cited elsewhere should be treated with scepticism.

Fan Zones and City Guide

Mexico City hosted matches in both 1970 and 1986, and the city knows how to absorb a football crowd. FIFA typically establishes an official Fan Festival in host cities — for Mexico City, the Zócalo (the main plaza at the heart of the historic centre) is the most likely candidate given its size and symbolic weight, though the official confirmed location should be verified closer to tournament time on FIFA’s own channels.

For a day in the city before the match, three things stand out:

Coyoacán and the Frida Kahlo Museum: The neighbourhood immediately adjacent to the stadium district is one of Mexico City’s most characterful, a tangle of cobbled streets, markets, and cafés. The Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul) requires pre-booking and sells out fast, but the surrounding plaza and mercado are free and worth a morning.

The historic centre and Zócalo: The colonial heart of the city — the Metropolitan Cathedral, the ruins of Templo Mayor, and the National Palace murals by Diego Rivera — is a half-day at minimum. Take the Metro to Zócalo station.

Food and football bars: Mexico City’s Roma Norte and Condesa neighbourhoods have a high density of bars and restaurants that will be screening World Cup matches, and the areas are walkable and relatively easy to navigate. Look for pulquerías for something local, or simply follow the screens.

Watch the Match Remotely

Not making the trip to Mexico City? Broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup vary by territory — your national rights-holder will carry live coverage of Uzbekistan vs Colombia. For a full breakdown of where to watch, streaming options by country, and a detailed match preview, visit the Full preview and where to watch guide.

FAQ

Where is Uzbekistan vs Colombia being played?

The match is being played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico. The ground is located in the southern part of the city in the Santa Úrsula area and is one of three Mexican venues hosting matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

How many fans does Estadio Azteca hold?

Estadio Azteca holds in excess of 80,000 spectators, making it one of the largest football-specific stadiums in the world. The exact certified capacity for the 2026 World Cup configuration has not been officially confirmed at time of publication.

How do I get to Estadio Azteca from Mexico City centre?

The most reliable route is the Metro. Take Line 2 (blue) to Tasqueña, then transfer to the Tren Ligero (light rail) Line 1 to Estadio Azteca station. From central stations like Hidalgo or Bellas Artes, allow 45–60 minutes. Driving is not recommended on match days due to severe traffic congestion.

Can I still buy tickets for Uzbekistan vs Colombia?

Tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA's official ticketing portal. Availability for matches at Azteca is expected to be limited given the venue's status. If official channels are sold out, FIFA's authorised hospitality partners offer packages at a premium. Avoid unofficial resellers and street touts, as counterfeit tickets are a known risk at World Cup events.

What is there to do in Mexico City for football fans?

Beyond the match itself, the Zócalo and historic centre offer the city's most concentrated sightseeing — the Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor ruins, and Diego Rivera murals at the National Palace. The Roma Norte and Condesa neighbourhoods are the best areas for bars screening World Cup football. The Coyoacán market and streets near the stadium are worth exploring before kick-off. An official FIFA Fan Festival is expected in the city; check FIFA's channels for the confirmed location.