FOOTBALL FAN FALLS TO THEIR DEATH FROM VIP BOX AT WORLD CUP 2026 STADIUM

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 27: Construction workers give the final touches to Mexico City Stadium ahead of its reopening match on March 27, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. The Mexico City Stadium, officially named Estadio Banorte or better known by its former name, Estadio Azteca has undergone renovations to host its third World Cup. (Photo by Fernando de Dios/Getty Images)

A football fan has died at the Estadio Banorte after falling from a VIP box seat before a World Cup warm-up friendly between Mexico and Portugal on Saturday

A football supporter tragically died at the Estadio Banorte on Saturday, after plummeting from a box seat ahead of a World Cup warm-up friendly. Mexico will co-host this summer's tournament alongside the United States and Canada.

Following extensive refurbishments, the Estadio Banorte reopened this weekend to stage a match between Mexico and Portugal. Nevertheless, the grand comeback at the legendary ground was marred by tragedy.

According to Reuters, a man plunged from the second tier of VIP box seating while attempting to reach the first level by scaling the exterior of the structure. Authorities state that the individual was under the influence of alcohol, and tragically fell to the ground floor during his descent.

A statement issued on social media read: "Mexico City Public Prosecutor's Office (Fiscalía CDMX) deeply regrets the death of a person on Saturday, 28 March inside the Banorte Stadium, prior to the start of the Mexican national team's friendly match.

"From the outset, officials from the Attorney General's Office, forensic experts and officers from the Investigative Police attended the scene to commence the necessary investigations.

"The area was cordoned off, the scene was secured, and evidence was collected by experts specialising in criminalistics, photography and forensic medicine.

"Furthermore, analysis of CCTV footage from the stadium and its entrances is underway, as is the collection of statements from people who were at the scene, with the aim of accurately reconstructing the sequence of events and determining potential liability.

"Similarly, the statutory post-mortem procedure is currently underway to establish with certainty the cause of death, as well as the physical condition of the individual at the time of the fall.

"The Mexico City Public Prosecutor's Office will continue its investigations thoroughly and will keep the public informed as relevant developments arise, in strict accordance with the principles of due process."

It comes as the Estadio Banorte is poised to host a World Cup opening ceremony come June 11, when Mexico welcome South Africa in the tournament's curtain-raiser. It will also become the first venue to stage matches across three separate World Cups.

Beyond the fixture on June 11, the ground will also stage group phase encounters between Uzbekistan and Colombia, Mexico and the Czech Republic or Denmark, a round of 32 clash and another in the last 16.

Saturday's match between Mexico and Portugal proceeded as scheduled despite the incident, with both sides battling out a goalless stalemate.

- Aaron Morris