Cristiano Ronaldo could miss the reopening of the Estadio Azteca

The dream of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo face Mexico in the reopening of the Estadio Azteca is at risk. The friendly match between both national teams, scheduled for March 28, 2026, is now on hold due to an unexpected turn in the international calendar: Portugal has not yet secured its ticket to the World Cup.

A 2-2 draw against Hungary in the latest qualifying round raised alarms. Despite Ronaldo’s brace, a last-minute goal from Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) denied victory and delayed the celebration. The result left the Portuguese five points ahead of their closest pursuer, with two matches still to play.

If Portugal fails to clinch qualification during the November international window, the team led by Roberto Martínez would have to play the European playoffs—scheduled for the same dates as the friendly against Mexico.

The European calendar puts the Azteca’s reopening in jeopardy

The UEFA schedule leaves little room for flexibility. The European playoffs are set for March 2026—the same month that the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) had planned to host the reopening match. And while the chances of Portugal missing out on direct qualification are slim, even the smallest risk has put the official announcement on hold.

The Mexico vs Portugal clash had generated huge anticipation since its plans were leaked in October. It was the perfect opportunity to see the Portuguese superstar set foot on Mexican soil for the first time, celebrating the modernization of the Coloso de Santa Úrsula, one of the host stadiums for the 2026 World Cup.

However, the possibility of the European playoffs has left everything in suspense. The FMF is waiting for the November qualifiers to conclude before moving forward with ticket sales or an official confirmation.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the big question mark of the event

At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the centerpiece of both the Portuguese national team and Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. His presence at the Estadio Azteca would have been a historic event—not only for its media impact but also for the symbolism of his visit ahead of the 2026 World Cup hosted in Mexico.

But without guaranteed qualification, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner can’t commit to friendly matches. If Portugal has to play the playoffs, Ronaldo will prioritize his last chance to reach a World Cup, which would mean canceling his trip to Mexico.

Mexico already preparing a European “Plan B”

If Portugal becomes unavailable, the FMF is already exploring European alternatives to maintain the event’s prestige. National teams such as Italy, Spain, or the Netherlands have been mentioned as potential replacements to keep the spectacle alive.

The reopening of the Azteca remains scheduled for March, but the rival and scale of the event will depend on Portugal’s fate in November. For now, Mexican fans will have to wait a little longer to find out whether they’ll see Cristiano Ronaldo under the lights of the Estadio Azteca—or if the dream will be shelved because of one unexpected draw.