Mexico centre stage as World Cup 2026 kicks off

Find out all the key details ahead of Mexico-South Africa and Korea Republic-Czechia on Matchday 1 at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

2026 Soccer International Friendly, Länderspiel, Nationalmannschaft – USMNT vs Germany Costumed fan from Mexico poses before the 2026 International Friendly World Cup tune-up Coca-Cola Sendoff Match between the US Men s national team, Nationalteam and the Germany National Team at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL on Jun 6. Germany defeated USMNT 2-1. Max Siker / Image of Chicago Illinois United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xImagexofxSportx MaxxSikerx iosphotos411794
Co-hosts face a familiar FIFA World Cup foe in the capital
Guadalajara plays host to Czechia and Korea Republic
See the full FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule
The waiting is over. Almost eight years to the day that Canada, Mexico and USA were appointed co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, this record-breaking global showpiece kicks off on 11 June.

As excitement reaches fever pitch around the globe, Mexico finds itself firmly in the spotlight. El Tri will shoulder the hopes of a nation when they take on South Africa, the team they faced at the same stage of the tournament in 2010, in a high-stakes Opening Match.

The focus will then shift to Guadalajara, where Asia and Europe are represented as Korea Republic do battle with a Czechia side still on a high from their success in the UEFA play-offs.

Who will end Matchday 1 with the upper hand in Group A? Find out more on the matches and teams below.