An 81 year old soccer fan tragically died outside the Azteca Stadium ahead of the World Cup opening match after suffering a heart attack.

Axar.az informs, citing AOL news, that the elderly German supporter collapsed and went into cardiac arrest just hours before co-hosts Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0. Disturbing video footage showed the man lying on the ground as a large team of paramedics surrounded him, immediately beginning resuscitation efforts.

Red Cross personnel, Civil Protection officers, and other emergency responders worked tirelessly on the fan, performing CPR in a desperate bid to save his life. The incident took place at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, as thousands of fans gathered for the opening ceremony - as FIFA suffers immediate humiliation with thousands of empty seats on very first day.

Despite receiving immediate on-site medical attention, the German national was rushed by ambulance to a specialist cardiology hospital.

He was later pronounced dead despite the rapid medical response. The tragic event cast a somber shadow over the build-up to the opening night of the expanded 48-team tournament.

It should be noted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19. The tournament features 48 national teams divided into 12 groups of four. The three host nations—United States, Canada, and Mexico—qualified automatically, while the remaining teams advanced through qualification stages.