Guadalajara, World Cup Host City, Honors Football Legend Pelé

Guadalajara, one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, boasts a deep connection to football history, famously associated with the legendary Brazilian player Pelé. Mexico is hosting the World Cup for a record third time, co-hosting the 2026 tournament with the United States and Canada after previously holding it solo in 1970 and 1986. While Guadalajara hosted matches in those earlier tournaments, the Mexican national team did not play there. The city's football icon is undeniably Pelé, who led Brazil to their third World Cup title in 1970. Pelé remains the only player in World Cup history to win the trophy three times (1958, 1962, 1970). A striking 9.5-meter statue of the 'King of Football,' honoring his achievements, was unveiled last month in front of the Jalisco Stadium. South Korea's national team is scheduled to play their first two group stage matches of the 2026 World Cup in Guadalajara: against the Czech Republic on the 12th and Mexico on the 19th.