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World Cup 2026 opens with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca on June 11

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The expanded 48-team tournament runs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, concluding with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

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World Cup 2026 opens with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca on June 11
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Mexico face South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, with kick-off scheduled for 1pm local time (8pm UK). The Group A fixture marks the start of the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 nations and 104 matches across three host countries.

The opening day also includes a second game in Mexico, with South Korea taking on the Czech Republic at Estadio Akron in Zapopan at 6pm local time (3am UK).

The tournament’s second day, Friday June 12, shifts north to Toronto, Canada, where co-hosts Canada face Bosnia and Herzegovina — the side that eliminated Italy from qualifying — in a Group B fixture at BMO Field. Kick-off is 3pm local time, again translating to 8pm in the UK.

Later that same day, the United States enter the competition in Group D, hosting Paraguay at 6pm local time (2am UK).

The three co-hosts — Mexico, Canada, and the United States — are each guaranteed a place in the expanded field, which grows from the previous 32-team format by adding 16 sides and increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104.

The tournament concludes on Sunday, July 19, with the final held at MetLife Stadium in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. Kick-off for the showpiece is set for 3pm local time (8pm UK).

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