Mexico's football cathedral

Though called as Mexico City Stadium for this tournament, Estadio Azteca is one rich in history, especially when it comes to World Cups. Swaroop Swaminathan takes a look at the venue which will host the opening game and what it means to the co-hosts...

- Swaroop Swaminathan

OME of the world’s greatest sporting arenas breathe life and have a light around them.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is one that Indians readily make a connection. Outside of cricket, the All England Club (tennis; London), Istora in (Indonesia; Asia) and Hayward Field (athletics; US) are generally considered as the standard bearers for iconic venues.

In football, there’s obviously the Maracana in Brazil. But, generally, though the big daddy of stadiums is the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Its walls has seen some of the greatest stories ever told by footballers and its grass has been the blank canvas for a plethora of sporting achievements.

Pele lifted the title here in 1970. Diego Maradona lifted it in 1986. The walkways to the Stadium holds more history in them than history books and the people who have visited the Stadium can still hear the electricity ringing inside their ears decades later. It’s what the place genuinely does to you. A mythical sporting temple. A football cathedral where people of all faith — including non-believers — are welcome to come and genuflect before it. After all, this is where the Gods come to see mortals be deified. On Thursday afternoon, over 72500 locals will throng this famous, old stadium —a homage to football, really — to officially see the start of the 23rd edition of the men’s football World Cup.