⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 – Today’s Schedule
June 13, 2026
6:00 PM ET — Brazil vs Morocco
9:00 PM ET — Haiti vs Scotland
12:00 AM ET — Australia vs Türkiye
The wait is finally over as the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins with an exciting Group A clash between Mexico and South Africa. Football fans around the world will turn their attention to Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, June 11, as co-host Mexico opens the tournament in front of a passionate home crowd.
This historic matchup marks the second time Mexico and South Africa have faced each other in a FIFA World Cup opening game. Their previous meeting came during the 2010 World Cup opener in Johannesburg, where the two teams played out a memorable 1-1 draw. Sixteen years later, both nations are ready to begin a new chapter on football’s biggest stage.
Mexico vs South Africa Date, Time, and Venue
The opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be played on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico.
Match Details
| Match | Mexico vs South Africa |
|---|---|
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Group | Group A |
| Date | Thursday, June 11, 2026 |
| Venue | Mexico City Stadium |
| Kickoff Time (ET) | 3:00 PM ET |
Kickoff Times Across the United States
| Time Zone | Kickoff Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time | 3:00 PM |
| Central Time | 2:00 PM |
| Mountain Time | 1:00 PM |
| Pacific Time | 12:00 PM |
The opening ceremony will take place before kickoff, creating a festive atmosphere as the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup officially gets underway.
Mexico vs South Africa Match Preview
Mexico enters the tournament carrying the expectations of an entire nation. Playing at home gives El Tri a significant advantage, and the team will be eager to start the competition with three points.
Experienced striker Raúl Jiménez is expected to lead the attack, while César Montes and Johan Vásquez will anchor the defense. Midfield creativity from Álvaro Fidalgo and Brian Gutiérrez could be crucial in unlocking the South African defense.
South Africa, meanwhile, arrives as an underdog but possesses plenty of energy and pace. The African side will look to stay compact defensively and use quick transitions through players such as Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster to threaten Mexico on the counterattack.
With both teams seeking a positive start in Group A, an entertaining contest is expected in Mexico City.
Expected Lineups
Mexico Predicted XI
Rangel; Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Lira, Gutierrez, Alvarado, Fidalgo, Quinones; Jimenez.
South Africa Predicted XI
Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Adams; Appollis, Zwane, Moremi; Foster.
Full Match Officials
FIFA has appointed an experienced officiating crew for the tournament opener.
| Role | Official | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Referee | Wilton Sampaio | Brazil |
| Assistant Referee 1 | Bruno Pires | Brazil |
| Assistant Referee 2 | Bruno Boschilia | Brazil |
| Fourth Official | Juan Benitez | Paraguay |
| Reserve Assistant Referee | Eduardo Cardozo | Paraguay |
| VAR | Nicolas Gallo | Colombia |
| AVAR | Juan Lara | Chile |
| Support VAR | Jerome Brisard | France |
Prediction
Opening matches often bring nerves and caution, but Mexico’s home support could provide the extra edge needed to secure victory. South Africa has the talent to create problems, particularly on the counterattack, yet Mexico appears stronger on paper and better equipped to handle the occasion.
Prediction: Mexico 2-1 South Africa
With the opening ceremony, a packed stadium, and millions watching worldwide, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to begin with a memorable showdown between Mexico and South Africa.