The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City, marking the start of the tournament’s largest edition ever. The match takes place at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), which has been selected as the venue for the opening fixture of the 104-match competition that will run through July 19, 2026.
This opening matchup is a historic repeat: Mexico and South Africa last met in the 2010 World Cup opener, which took place in South Africa. The 2026 tournament spans three countries—Mexico, the United States, and Canada—making it the first World Cup hosted across multiple nations in this format.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to precede the match, featuring global superstars Shakira and Burna Boy performing at the celebration. Mexico City Stadium has the distinction of being the first stadium in history to host three World Cup opening matches, having previously hosted the ceremonies in 1970 and 1986.
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FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off June 11 with Mexico vs. South Africa in Mexico City
Sources
- FIFA — confirmed opening match date, teams, venue, and stadium details
- Al Jazeera — reported opening match date and tournament timeline
- ESPN — verified match fixture and World Cup schedule
- Britannica — confirmed tournament dates (June 11 to July 19) and 104-match format
