Mexico is returning to the Georgia Dome for the fourth time in five years to play a warm-up soccer game against Nigeria as part of both teams’ preparations for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
The game will be at 8:30 p.m. March 5. Tickets start at $30 and will go on sale to the general public Jan. 17. Go to www.ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.
Mexico played in the Dome last year, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in the Gold Cup. “El Tri,” as the team also is known, defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in a friendly in 2011 and beat Venezuela 4-0 in a friendly in 2009. Each game drew at least 50,000 people to the Dome.
Natural grass will be brought into the Dome and put down for the game, as it was for the previous soccer games there.
After needing to beat New Zealand in a playoff just to qualify for the World Cup, Mexico was drawn into what is considered to be one of the tournament’s tougher groups. Mexico, No. 21 in FIFA’s World rankings, will play Brazil (No. 10), one of the favorites to win the World Cup, Croatia (No. 16) and will open the World Cup against Cameroon (No. 50) on June 13. Mexico’s roster for the friendly game at the Georgia Dome may include Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez and Villarreal midfielder Giovani dos Santos.
Nigeria’s (No. 37) World Cup group includes Argentina (No. 3), Bosnia and Herzegovina (No. 19), and Iran (No. 33). The Super Eagles, as the Nigerian team is also known, will open the World Cup against Iran on June 16. Nigeria’s roster may include Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel and Liverpool’s Victor Moses.
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