The 2026 World Cup, the first with 48 teams and hosted by three countries (Mexico, United States and Canada), begins this Thursday (11). The competition will kick off at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with the opening game between Mexico and South Africa.
The clash marks South Africa’s return to the tournament after 16 years and revives exactly the same opening game of the 2010 World Cup, when the two teams drew 1-1. This time, Mexico plays at home as one of the hosts and arrives as favorites in Group A.
First day schedule
The ball rolls at 1pm (Mexico City local time), which corresponds to 4pm in Brasília. Before the starting whistle, an opening ceremony is planned with shows by artists such as Shakira, who will perform the official song of the tournament.
Hours later, still this Thursday, South Korea and the Czech Republic face each other at the Guadalajara Stadium, completing the opening round of Group A. Mexico is seen as the main candidate to advance, but the group is considered balanced, with South Korea bringing Asian consistency and Czechia returning to the World Cup after their absence.
What changes with the 48-team World Cup
For the first time, the tournament will have 104 games and more places for confederations. This increases the chances of African and Asian teams, such as South Africa itself, which seeks to repeat the spirit of 2010 on Mexican soil. The Azteca, with its iconic history, receives the kickoff for the second time in the history of the World Cups (after 1970 and 1986).
The final is scheduled for July 19th in New York/New Jersey, closing an event that promises record attendance and global viewership. In the coming weeks, the three host countries will host simultaneous matches, with cultural openings also in Canada and the USA.
Fans can follow all matches live on open and closed TV broadcasts and digital platforms. Expectations are high especially for Mexico, who dream of performing well at home.
