Will Mexico play in Monterrey during the 2026 World Cup?

No, the Mexico national team will not play any games in Monterrey during the 2026 World Cup group stage.

Why is the Mexico national team not playing in Monterrey?

Governor Samuel García believes the decision is economically motivated, citing the larger capacity of Mexico City's stadium as a potential factor.

What does Governor Samuel García want?

Governor García is seeking compensation for Monterrey, specifically requesting a friendly match for the national team to be held in the city before the World Cup.

Home / Sports / Monterrey's World Cup Snub: Governor Demands Friendly Match

Monterrey's World Cup Snub: Governor Demands Friendly Match

14 Dec

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Summary

Mexico's national team will not play in Monterrey during the 2026 World Cup.
Governor Samuel García believes the decision is economically motivated.
García is seeking a friendly match in Monterrey as compensation.

Monterrey's World Cup Snub: Governor Demands Friendly Match

The governor of Nuevo León, Samuel García, has voiced strong dissatisfaction following the 2026 World Cup draw, which confirmed that the Mexican national team will not play any matches in the host city of Monterrey. While Monterrey's Estadio BBVA will host four games, the national team, known as El Tri, is scheduled to play in Mexico City and Guadalajara instead.

García questioned the reasoning behind this decision, suggesting it may be economically driven due to the larger capacity of the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. He expressed skepticism about the official explanation of differing weather conditions between Monterrey and Jalisco, calling the arguments unconvincing. Despite this, he acknowledged the dynamics of FIFA and the Mexican soccer federation.