GLENDALE — For Arizona soccer fans who missed out on experiencing the 2026 FIFA World Cup in person, there will be an opportunity to watch two of the sport’s most popular teams go head-to-head in an international friendly.
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Jun 25, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie (8) during a Group D match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
With no World Cup matches played in the Grand Canyon State, traveling to host cities wasn’t in the cards for many who wanted to experience the prestigious tournament. This fall, however, Arizona fans will get a chance to experience a similar international atmosphere when one of soccer’s biggest rivalries comes to the Valley.
The United States Men’s National Team will face Mexico on Oct. 3 at State Farm Stadium, bringing one of the sport’s most electric atmospheres to Arizona. The friendly gives local fans a chance to experience a World Cup-caliber environment without the cost of flights and hotels, just months after the tournament concluded.
Jun 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; A general overall view as fans watch Mexico and South Africa play on a video screen during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
While the match won’t carry the stakes of a World Cup knockout game, the rivalry alone is enough to create an unforgettable atmosphere. Every meeting between the two nations draws passionate supporters, producing an environment that rivals many of the sport’s biggest tournaments.
Arizona is one of the most fitting places in the country to host the matchup. The state is home to a large Mexican and Mexican American population with deep cultural and family ties on both sides of the border, making it a natural setting for one of international soccer’s fiercest rivalries.
Jun 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; USMNT defender Tim Ream (13) and Paraguay forward Antonio Sanabria (9) pursue the ball during a Group D match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
That support has consistently translated into packed crowds whenever Mexico plays in Glendale, helping establish State Farm Stadium as one of the country’s premier venues for international soccer. The stadium has hosted Gold Cup matches, Copa América contests and several previous meetings between both clubs, making it no stranger to marquee international events.
It won’t be the World Cup, but for many Arizona fans, it’s the next best opportunity to experience the passion, intensity and atmosphere of one of soccer’s greatest rivalries as another chapter in the storied rivalry unfolds — without ever leaving the state.
Incondicionales, el #CaminoAl2030 tiene otra prueba para la Fecha FIFA de septiembre/octubre 🫡
Un nuevo capítulo: 🇺🇸🆚🇲🇽
¡Vamos!
Más ✍️: https://t.co/1cTrifKXkD pic.twitter.com/jYsJ0ug96L
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) August 4, 2026
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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