Hosts Mexico are set to take on South Africa in the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a stadium that continues to cement its place in football folklore. The historic venue becomes the first stadium ever to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches, having previously staged the tournament curtain-raisers in 1970 and 1986.
The opening fixture carries added significance as it rekindles memories of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, when the same two nations played out a 1-1 draw in the tournament's first match. Sixteen years later, Mexico and South Africa once again find themselves entrusted with launching football's biggest spectacle.
The 2026 edition represents a landmark moment for global football, with the tournament being hosted across three nations — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — for the first time in FIFA history. The expanded competition features 48 teams and a record 104 matches, making it the biggest World Cup ever staged.
Millions of fans across the globe are expected to tune in as the month-long football festival begins, with excitement building around the expanded format and the opportunity for more nations to compete on the world's biggest stage.
For Mexico, today's match is more than just a football game. It is a chance to launch the tournament in front of a passionate home crowd and create another unforgettable chapter in the country's rich World Cup history.
Mexico head into the competition carrying the hopes of a football-loving nation, while South Africa will be looking to spoil the party and make a strong statement in Group A.
The World Watches
With a spectacular opening ceremony, a historic venue, and two nations eager to make their mark, all eyes will be on Mexico City as the first whistle signals the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The road to global glory begins today, and by the time the tournament concludes next month, football will have crowned a new world champion.
The biggest World Cup in history starts now.