One can all but guarantee the San Francisco 49ers aren't looking forward to opening up their 2026 regular-season schedule on the road (maybe that's not wholly accurate since they'll be crossing the Pacific) against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
If anything, head coach Kyle Shanahan isn't a fan. At all.
Fortunately, the Niners can at least get that game out of the way early. But one can't help but think the NFL did Shanahan and Co. another disservice by having them play yet another international game across borders.
San Francisco is returning to Mexico City, Mexico, where it hasn't played since a victory over the Arizona Cardinals back in 2022.
So, yes... two out-of-country games for the red and gold.
With the 2026 regular-season schedule release going live on May 14, fans might have trouble remembering exactly when the 49ers would be back out of the country.
Let's remind you.
49ers will play in Mexico City in Week 11, per report
Maybe it would've been nicer if the NFL scheduled the Niners on back-to-back international games to just get them out of the way, especially if Shanahan's roster is (mostly) healthy and not worn down by all kinds of travel.
But, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson, who cited the league's EVP of Media Distribution, Hans Schroeder, San Francisco will head to Mexico City in Week 11, which will run from Nov. 13 through 17.
Per NFL EVP of Media Distribution Hans Schroeder, the 49ers' Mexico City game will be in Week 11. He said the league will likely wait until the full schedule release to announce the opponent. Same for the other international games whose non-host teams aren't already known.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) March 31, 2026
It's not yet known when the game will be, although a Thursday or Monday night game seems highly unlikely, given the extra strain of international travel on what'd be a short week on either end.
Additionally, the 49ers' second international opponent isn't known either, even though Shanahan apparently wanted L.A. to have to travel out of the country again. It doesn't sound as if that'll happen, though.
Either way, circle Week 11 for the Niners' return to Mexico.
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