Fan death at World Cup venue raises safety concerns ahead of FIFA 2026

A supporter died after falling from the VIP box area at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City onto the car park on March 28, prior to kick-off in a friendly between Mexico and Portugal — putting stadium safety under scrutiny at one of the marquee venues for this summer's World Cup.The incident occurred on the day of the stadium's reopening following a multi-year renovation programme undertaken in preparation for FIFA 2026, which begins on June 11.The Mexico City Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed it has launched a full investigation, deploying forensic specialists, collecting CCTV footage, and taking witness statements to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine potential liability. A post-mortem examination is under way to establish the cause of death.In a statement, the Prosecutor's Office said it "deeply regrets the death of a person on Saturday, 28 March inside the Banorte Stadium" and pledged to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the organisation was "deeply saddened" by the incident. The Mexican Football Federation posted a statement of condolence on March 29, reiterating its priority of "safeguarding the safety of those inside stadiums" under its jurisdiction.The match, which ended 0-0, was not halted. Multiple fans and security officials inside the ground told reporters they were unaware of the incident during the game.Estadio Banorte — formerly known as Estadio Azteca — is scheduled to host five World Cup matches this summer, including the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa on June 11. That fixture would make it the first stadium to have hosted three World Cup opening games, following the 1970 and 1986 editions.