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

World Cup 2026 begins on June 11 at 8pm BST / 8am EDT, with Mexico taking on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in the tournament’s opening fixture.

The match carries a notable historical echo: Mexico and South Africa also met in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, held in Johannesburg. The Estadio Azteca becomes only the third stadium in history to host a World Cup opening match on three separate occasions, having previously done so at the 1970 and 1986 editions of the tournament.

The 2026 competition is the first to feature 48 nations, producing a record total of 104 matches across the group stage and knockout rounds. The expanded format means the tournament runs considerably longer than previous editions, stretching deep into the summer.