• Co-hosts face a familiar FIFA World Cup foe in the capital

• Guadalajara plays host to Czechia and Korea Republic

• See the full FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule

The waiting is over. Almost eight years to the day that Canada, Mexico and USA were appointed co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, this record-breaking global showpiece kicks off on 11 June.

As excitement reaches fever pitch around the globe, Mexico finds itself firmly in the spotlight. El Tri will shoulder the hopes of a nation when they take on South Africa, the team they faced at the same stage of the tournament in 2010, in a high-stakes Opening Match.

The focus will then shift to Guadalajara, where Asia and Europe are represented as Korea Republic do battle with a Czechia side still on a high from their success in the UEFA play-offs.

Who will end Matchday 1 with the upper hand in Group A? Find out more on the matches and teams below.

Mexico v South Africa

Group A

Thursday, 11 June | 13:00 | Mexico City Stadium

Match preview

Mexico: News, interviews and videos

South Africa: News interviews and videos

Korea Republic v Czechia

Group A

Thursday, 11 June | 20:00 | Guadalajara Stadium

Match preview

Korea Republic: News, interviews and videos

Czechia: News, interviews and videos

• FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures

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• FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Cities