Mexico and South Africa officially get the 2026 World Cup underway when the two nations face off in the tournament opener in Mexico City.
The first of 104 games this summer sees the co-hosts aiming for a win on home soil to take an early lead atop Group A with Czechia and South Korea also making up the group.
Mexico will be looking to avoid the same fate they suffered in 2022 when they eliminated from Qatar in the group stage. South Africa are making their first appearance at a World Cup since hosting in 2010.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match and kickoff times.
What time does Mexico vs. South Africa kick off?
This World Cup clash takes place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico and kicks off on Thursday, June 11 at 2 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Thurs, June 11 | 3 p.m. |
| Central Time | Thurs, June 11 | 2 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Thurs, June 11 | 1 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Thurs, June 11 | 12 p.m. |
Mexico vs. South Africa live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this World Cup match in the U.S.:
TV channel: Fox Network
Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website
This match will be broadcast on Fox Network with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
World Cup fixtures today and tomorrow
All times Eastern.
Thursday, June 11
- Mexico vs. South Africa (3 p.m.)
- South Korea vs. Czechia (10 p.m.)
Friday, June 12
- Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina (3 p.m.)
- USA vs. Paraguay (9 p.m.)
MORE: Complete World Cup schedule and fixtures
2026 FIFA World Cup FAQs
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup hosted by three countries.
The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.
The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?
There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.
Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.
What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?
In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock. Check the schedule for the specific match you want to watch.
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA’s tournament name for MetLife Stadium.
What time do World Cup games start?
Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.
Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico.
