The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today, with the opening clash between Mexico and South Africa. The inaugural match takes place at the legendary Azteca Stadium, in Mexico City, from 4pm (local time), promising great excitement for global football fans. This event marks the beginning of a tournament that will involve multiple countries and promises a month full of disputes on the field.
The Azteca Stadium, a stage of memories for world football
This iconic temple of football is not just any place for the start of a World Cup. The Azteca Stadium, located in the Mexican capital, goes down in history as the only one to host three editions of the World Cup, having been the scene of memorable decisions in 1970 and 1986. The arena is especially revered by Brazilians, as it was there that the Brazilian team, led by Pelé, won its third championship in 1970, consolidating its legacy in the sport.
Confrontation between Mexico and South Africa repeats scenario from 2010
Football lovers with good memories may remember this clash. The duel between Mexico and South Africa is not unprecedented as the opening match of a World Cup. Interestingly, the two teams already met in the opening match of the 2010 tournament, hosted in South Africa itself, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The re-editing of this meeting, now on Mexican soil, adds an extra layer of nostalgia and rivalry to the start of the competition.
The confirmed lineups for the first game
For the debut clash, the teams enter the field with their defined formations. Mexico adopts a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Rafael Rangel in goal and a solid defense line. On the South African side, the team is organized in a 5-3-2 formation, with Ronaldo Williams defending the goal and taking a more defensive posture. Coaches Javier Aguirre, from Mexico, and Hugo Broos, from South Africa, are betting on their strategies to get the first points of the tournament.
Referee team and selection ranking
Command of the game will be in the hands of Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio. Known for his experience in major competitions, Sampaio will have the responsibility of ensuring fluidity and fairness in the opening match. Regarding general performance, the Mexican team is in 14th place in the FIFA rankings, while South Africa is in 60th place, indicating possible favoritism for the hosts in this first clash.
Calendar of the first days of the World Cup
Below, check out some of the main games scheduled for the first days of the group stage, highlighting the diversity of teams and match times, with the local time zone of the games:
- June 11:
* 16:00: Mexico x South Africa (Estadio Azteca)
* 23:00: South Korea x Czechia
- June 12:
* 16:00: Canada x Bosnia and Herzegovina
* 22:00: USA x Paraguay
- June 13:
* 16:00: Qatar x Switzerland
* 19:00: Brazil x Morocco
* 22:00: Haiti x Scotland
Channels to follow the World Cup broadcast
In Brazil, football fans will have several options to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup games. Major broadcasters and streaming platforms will guarantee complete coverage of the event. Among the channels that will broadcast the matches are SBT, TV Globo, Sportv, as well as digital platforms such as YouTube – CazéTV, Prime Video and Globoplay, offering flexibility for fans to follow each action.
