Nezahualcóyotl revives its 1986 World Cup glory with a new campaign
The Mexican municipality of Nezahualcóyotl is celebrating its football heritage with a new campaign. Under the slogan Together for Soccer, for the Love of Neza, the city is hosting sports, cultural, and culinary events. At the heart of the initiative lies Neza 86 Stadium, a historic venue from the 1986 World Cup now being restored for visitors. Nezahualcóyotl was established in 1966 and later became a host city for the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Neza 86 Stadium, opened in 1981 by President José López Portillo, hosted three group-stage matches during the tournament. Its last professional league game took place in 2014, but the venue remains a landmark.
To honour the stadium’s legacy, local authorities are collecting photos, artefacts, and memorabilia from the 1986 World Cup. These items will form a mobile museum, allowing residents to revisit the tournament’s history. Meanwhile, the stadium itself is undergoing refurbishment to welcome exhibitions and visitors. For many locals, the stadium holds personal memories. Víctor Manuel García Albarrán attended 16 matches in 1986, including three at Neza 86. Esteban Vázquez, the groundskeeper, has tended the pitch for 28 years. Yet not everyone can relive the excitement—Sergio Cedillo Islas recently tried to buy tickets for the 2026 World Cup but found the prices unaffordable.
The Together for Soccer campaign aims to reignite community pride through events and the restored stadium. The mobile museum will bring the 1986 World Cup’s history closer to residents. With refurbishments underway, Neza 86 Stadium is set to remain a symbol of the city’s football passion.
