Mexico City, 11 June 2026 – The wait ends today. Eight years after FIFA named Canada, Mexico and USA as co-hosts, the most expansive World Cup in history kicks off at Estadio Azteca, putting Mexico firmly in the global spotlight.
El Tri open the show
Mexico’s national team carries the hopes of 130 million fans into the tournament opener against South Africa at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. Central. The clash revives memories of 2010, when the same two nations met in the opening match in Johannesburg. For coach Javier Aguirre, leading El Tri on home soil is “a once-in-a-lifetime emotional moment”. A win would set the tone for Group A and ignite the tournament across the country.
Mexico City has gone into full World Cup mode. Federal offices shifted to remote work and schools suspended classes to ease congestion. Estadio Azteca opened gates 4 hours early, with fan zones and cultural activations lining the approach. The Azteca itself makes history as the first stadium to host three World Cup openers, after 1970 and 1986.
Spectacle before kick-off
Ninety minutes before the whistle, FIFA will stage the Mexico City opening ceremony. Shakira and Burna Boy headline with the first live performance of official song Dai Dai. They’ll be joined by Maná, Alejandro Fernández, J Balvin, Belinda, Los Ángeles Azules, Lila Downs and Danny Ocean in a show designed to showcase Mexican music, dance and papel picado artistry.
Action shifts to Guadalajara
After the Mexico City opener, focus moves west to Estadio Guadalajara. Asia meets Europe as Korea Republic face a Czechia side riding momentum from their UEFA play-off success. Both teams see Group A as winnable, setting up a tactical battle that could decide who joins Mexico in the knockout round.
Tournament scale
The 2026 edition runs 11 June to 19 July with 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 cities in three countries. Mexico will host 13 matches, including all three of El Tri’s group games: South Africa today, Korea Republic on 18 June in Guadalajara, and Czechia on 24 June back at Azteca. For the first time, FIFA will hold three separate opening ceremonies. Toronto and Los Angeles will stage their own shows on 12 June before Canada and USA begin their campaigns.
Global coverage
The opener airs live on FOX/Telemundo in the US and ITV1/ITVX in the UK, with streaming on Fox One and Peacock. Fans worldwide will watch Mexico set the tone for what FIFA promises will be the most inclusive World Cup yet.