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Credit: Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, the NFL world learned that the San Francisco 49ers will play one of their 2026 home games at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. That\u2019s interesting, since the Minnesota Vikings are one of nine away teams on San Fran\u2019s home slate<\/a> this season.<\/p>\n The 49ers will obviously play one home game against each of their three NFC West rival (Seahawks, Rams, Cardinals), plus interdivision matchups vs the Vikings, Eagles, Commanders, Broncos and Dolphins.<\/p>\n Minnesota Vikings in the mix for yet another international game?<\/p>\n But on Wednesday, one of ESPN\u2019s top Latino reporters, John Sutcliffe<\/a> (based in Mexico, just a few hours outside of Mexico City) put a video out on socials breaking down the Niners\u2019 most likely opponent for their game south of the border. In summary, he gets the \u201cfeeling\u201d it\u2019ll be the Vikings.<\/p>\n Naturally, Sutcliffe did the video in spanish, but we\u2019ve transcribed it for you and come out with what we believe is a pretty accurate translation of why Sutcliffe is led to believe Minnesota makes the most sense to meet San Francisco down in Mexico City.<\/p>\n Confirmado @49ers<\/a> viene a M\u00e9xico \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd, vs quien les gustar\u00eda que fuera el partido?@nflmx<\/a> @NFL<\/a> @ESPNmx<\/a> @ESPNDeportes<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Coq1NJhGY9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 John Sutcliffe (@espnsutcliffe) February 18, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been confirmed that the 49ers are coming to the Azteca Banorte. Against who? Let\u2019s continue with all this information. [The Niners] are already going to play a division game in Australia against the Rams. You\u2019re not going to play against Seattle [in Mexico] when they were crowned [Super Bowl champs] in your home, right? You want those matches at home. <\/p>\n And also, I don\u2019t think the teams that market in Mexico like San Francisco does \u2014 Miami [Dolphins], [Las Vegas] Raiders, and [Denver] Broncos [will want to share the spotlight]. It\u2019s like a Quinceanera<\/a>, right? You\u2019re spending all the money. You want to throw the party. You don\u2019t want to divide the spoils with others, you want the whole party.<\/p>\n So, I don\u2019t see [those teams in the mix]. My feeling is that it\u2019s going to be the Minnesota Vikings \u2014 Vikings vs 49ers, in the Azteca Banorte. How do you see it? I\u2019ll read it and answer you. John Sutcliffe, reporter for Cancha.\u201d<\/p>\n John Sutcliffe \u2013 ESPN (translated from spanish)<\/p>\n It makes a ton of sense logistically\u2026 at least for the 49ers<\/p>\n There\u2019s little doubt Sutcliffe has well-connected sources, both in the league offices and down in Mexico City, who he talked to before posting the above video. Nonetheless, his logistical argument for the Vikings, alone, is compelling.<\/p>\n Essentially, the 49ers won\u2019t want to play any of their division games outside of Levi Stadium, which eliminates three home games. Meanwhile, the Broncos, Raiders and Dolphins all share international marketing rights in Mexico, meaning those opponents would take some of their shine south of the border.<\/p>\n Related: Iconic NFL Burnout Reveals He Once Lived with MN Vikings HC<\/a><\/p>\n So realistically, that leaves the Eagles, Commanders, Vikings\u2026 which makes Sutcliffe\u2019s choosing of Minnesota that much more intriguing.<\/p>\n The MN Vikings played two games last season, in Europe, one against the Browns in Dublin and the other in London against the Steelers. They also played a home game in London during the 2024 season, meaning a game in Mexico City would be the purple\u2019s third straight season with a game played outside of the United States.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: NFL International Games<\/a> San Francisco 49ers<\/a> <\/p>\n More About:Minnesota Vikings<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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