The wait is finally over. The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on Thursday June 11 — and Day 1 gives us two Group A matches that set the tone for everything that follows. First, tournament co-hosts Mexico face South Africa in the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in what is a repeat of the famous 2010 World Cup opening match. Then, late into the night, South Korea take on Czechia in Guadalajara.
Published: June 5, 2026 | Hemim SK
Two matches. Two stories. Day 1 of the biggest World Cup in history.
World Cup 2026 Day 1 — Key Facts
Date: Thursday June 11, 2026
Group: Group A
Venue 1: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Venue 2: Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico
Match 1 kickoff: 3pm ET / 8pm BST / 9pm CET
Match 2 kickoff: 10pm ET / 3am BST (June 12) / 4am CET (June 12)
TV (USA): Fox and Telemundo
TV (UK): BBC and ITV
Group A teams: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Format: Top two qualify automatically. Best third-place teams may also advance.
First-Time Nations at World Cup 2026: The Stories Nobody Told You
World Cup 2026 Day 1 Match 1 — Mexico vs South Africa
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Kickoff: 3pm ET / 8pm BST
Group: A
The Story
This is not just a football match. This is the moment the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially begins — and it begins in one of the most iconic football stadiums in the entire history of the sport. The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City has hosted two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986), Maradona’s Hand of God goal, and some of the greatest moments in football history. On June 11, 2026, it hosts the opening match of the biggest World Cup ever played.
Mexico vs South Africa is also a repeat of the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa — a tournament that ended in a famous 1-1 draw. That match gave the world the vuvuzela. This one gives the world the 48-team era.
Mexico
Mexico are one of the three tournament co-hosts alongside the United States and Canada. Playing at home, in front of their own fans, at the Estadio Azteca, carries a weight of expectation that no other team at this World Cup faces. El Tri have never gone beyond the Round of 16 at a World Cup — a period Mexican fans call the Quinto Partido (the fifth game). This tournament, on home soil, is supposed to be the one that finally breaks that curse.
Their warm-up form has been mixed. A narrow 1-0 win over Australia, then a 1-1 draw with Serbia. They have looked defensively solid but lacking attacking creativity and sharpness in front of goal. Manager Jaime Lozano will need his forwards to find form quickly because the pressure on June 11 will be enormous.
Key players to watch: Hirving Lozano, Santiago Gimenez, Guillermo Ochoa (making his historic sixth World Cup appearance), Edson Alvarez
South Africa
South Africa — known as Bafana Bafana — are playing at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. They qualified from a tough African qualifying group and carry enormous expectation from a nation that hosted the tournament 16 years ago. Their pre-tournament form however has raised serious questions. They could not score against Nicaragua in a warm-up friendly — a result that left coaches and fans deeply concerned heading into the opening match.
Their strength is defensive organisation and set-piece danger. They will not come to the Azteca to attack. They will sit deep, stay compact and look for a counter-attack or a set-piece goal to cause an upset. If they can keep Mexico goalless for the first 30 minutes the crowd will become anxious and anything is possible.
Key players to watch: Percy Tau, Themba Zwane, Hugo Broos tactics
Head to Head
Mexico and South Africa have faced each other only rarely. Their most famous meeting was that 2010 World Cup opener — a 1-1 draw at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Mexico scored first through Rafael Marquez, South Africa equalised through Siphiwe Tshabalala in what became one of the most celebrated goals in World Cup history. Both sides will remember that result. Both will want a different outcome this time.
Prediction: Mexico 2-0 South Africa
Mexico at home in the Azteca, with 87,000 fans roaring them forward, against a South Africa side that could not score against Nicaragua. The hosts should win — but expect nerves in the first 20 minutes before the crowd lifts them. Santiago Gimenez to score the opener.
World Cup 2026 Day 1 Match 2 — South Korea vs Czechia
Venue: Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Kickoff: 10pm ET / 3am BST (June 12)
Group: A
The Story
The second match of Day 1 takes place late in Guadalajara — and while it may not have the iconic venue or historical weight of the opening match, it is arguably the more technically interesting game of the two. South Korea, one of Asia’s most tactically sophisticated teams, face Czechia, a technically gifted European side who squeezed through their qualification playoff to reach the tournament.
This match will decide the early dynamic in Group A. The winner takes three points and puts enormous pressure on the loser heading into their next fixtures against Mexico and South Africa.
South Korea
South Korea arrive at this World Cup in excellent form. Their pre-tournament warm-up results have been outstanding — a 5-0 thrashing of Trinidad and Tobago, a 1-0 professional win over Iceland. Son Heung-min, their captain and talisman, has looked sharp, motivated and determined to make this his World Cup after years of near-misses.
Under their manager, South Korea play a high-pressing, technically disciplined style that has troubled far bigger nations than Czechia. They beat Germany and Spain in recent World Cups — not by accident but by following a specific tactical plan and executing it with discipline and belief. Czechia should be very wary of underestimating them.
Key players to watch: Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung, Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan
Czechia
Czechia — formerly known as the Czech Republic — reached the World Cup through a playoff after finishing third in their European qualifying group. They are a technically capable side with Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A talent throughout their squad. Tomas Soucek brings physicality and goals from midfield. Patrik Schick leads the line with intelligence and composure.
Their qualification path means they have played more high-pressure matches than most teams at this tournament and they arrive with valuable big-game experience. However facing South Korea’s pressing intensity from the first minute will be a completely different challenge to anything they faced in European qualifying.
Key players to watch: Patrik Schick, Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal, Antonin Barak
Head to Head
South Korea and Czechia have faced each other twice in recent memory. Their most significant meeting was at the 2006 World Cup group stage where Czechia won 3-1. South Korea have improved dramatically since then. This will be a very different contest.
Prediction: South Korea 2-1 Czechia
South Korea’s pressing intensity, home-tournament motivation and the outstanding form of Son Heung-min give them the edge. Expect a competitive first half before South Korea’s superior athleticism and tactical discipline pulls them through in the second half.
Group A Full Standings After Day 1 — Predicted
1. Mexico — 3 points (Predicted win vs South Africa)
2. South Korea — 3 points (Predicted win vs Czechia)
3. Czechia — 0 points
4. South Africa — 0 points
World Cup 2026 Day 1 — TV Guide
Mexico vs South Africa:
USA: Fox (English) / Telemundo (Spanish) / Fubo (Stream)
UK: BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Canada: TSN / CTV / DAZN
Australia: SBS On Demand
Kickoff: 3pm ET / 8pm BST / 9pm CET
South Korea vs Czechia:
USA: Fox (English) / Telemundo (Spanish) / Fubo (Stream)
UK: ITV1 / ITVX
Canada: TSN / CTV / DAZN
Australia: SBS On Demand
Kickoff: 10pm ET / 3am BST (June 12) / 4am CET (June 12)
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the World Cup 2026 start on June 11?
The World Cup 2026 opening match — Mexico vs South Africa — kicks off at 3pm Eastern Time (ET) on Thursday June 11. That is 8pm British Summer Time (BST) and 9pm Central European Time (CET).
Where is the World Cup 2026 opening match played?
The opening match of the 2026 World Cup is played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico. The iconic stadium has a capacity of approximately 87,000 and has previously hosted two World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986.
What channel is Mexico vs South Africa on?
In the USA, Mexico vs South Africa is on Fox in English and Telemundo in Spanish. In the UK, the match is on BBC One. It is also available to stream on Fubo in the USA and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
How many matches are played on World Cup 2026 Day 1?
Two matches are played on Day 1 of the World Cup 2026 — Mexico vs South Africa at 3pm ET and South Korea vs Czechia at 10pm ET, both on June 11.
Did Mexico and South Africa play in the 2010 World Cup opening match?
Yes. Mexico and South Africa met in the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg. The match ended 1-1 — Mexico scored first through Rafael Marquez before South Africa equalised through Siphiwe Tshabalala’s famous goal. Their 2026 meeting is a direct rematch of that historic occasion.
Who is Mexico’s best player at World Cup 2026?
Santiago Gimenez is Mexico’s most potent attacking threat at the 2026 World Cup, with his goalscoring record in European club football making him the man expected to lead the hosts’ attack. Captain Hirving Lozano and veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa — making his record sixth World Cup appearance — are also key figures.
Who is South Korea’s best player at World Cup 2026?
Son Heung-min is South Korea’s captain and best player at the 2026 World Cup. The Tottenham Hotspur forward has been in excellent pre-tournament form and will be one of the most watched players on Day 1 of the tournament.
Is this Guillermo Ochoa’s last World Cup?
Yes. Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico’s legendary goalkeeper, is making his sixth World Cup appearance at the 2026 tournament — the most by any Mexican player in history. At 40 years old this will almost certainly be his final World Cup.
Conclusion
Day 1 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 sets the tone for everything that follows. Mexico carry the dreams of a nation as they step onto the Azteca turf. South Africa carry the memories of 2010 and the hope of a famous upset. South Korea carry the ambitions of Asian football’s most technically sophisticated programme. Czechia carry the hunger of a team that fought through playoffs to earn their place.
Two matches. Four nations. The beginning of 104 games that will decide who lifts the World Cup trophy on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
It all starts on June 11. The World Cup is here.
Related:First-Time Nations at World Cup 2026: The Stories Nobody Told You
Who do you think wins on Day 1 — will Mexico impress on home soil or will South Africa cause an upset? Tell us in the comments!