World Cup 2026 opens on June 11 as Mexico host South Africa at Azteca

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on Thursday, June 11, with a rematch of the 2010 tournament opener as co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00pm local time, 8:00pm in the United Kingdom. The 104-match tournament concludes with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 19, with a 3:00pm local kick-off — again 8:00pm in the UK.

For the first time in the competition’s history, three nations share hosting duties: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Canada are staging the World Cup for the first time, while the United States host for the second time and Mexico for the third.

Reigning champions Argentina arrive as the team chasing history. A third successive title would make them only the third nation — after Italy and Brazil — to retain the trophy. La Albiceleste have been drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, with their opener against Algeria set to take place at Arrowhead Stadium.

Mauricio Pochettino’s United States side play their first match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on Friday, June 12. Canada, under head coach Jesse Marsch, face Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field on the same day.

Both England and Scotland will be in action during the group stage. England open their campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Scotland, managed by Steve Clarke, begin their Group C campaign against Haiti at Gillette Stadium near Boston on Saturday, June 13.

The knockout rounds get underway with the first round-of-32 fixture at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, June 28, as the expanded 48-team format stretches the tournament across six weeks and three countries.