The 2026 World Cup begins today, 11 June. Hosts Mexico open against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca (kickoff 3 p.m. ET), Shakira headlines the opening ceremony with Burna Boy, South Korea meet Czechia in Guadalajara on the same day, and the United States and Canada both start at home on 12 June. Five verified stories on kickoff day.
The 2026 World Cup begins today, 11 June, as hosts Mexico face South Africa at the Estadio Azteca (kickoff 3 p.m. ET) in Group A. Coached by Javier Aguirre, Mexico start as favourites: Opta's pre-match model made them 66.3 percent likely to win, backed by an unbeaten run through their 2026 friendlies. South Africa, under Hugo Broos, return to a World Cup for the first time since 2010.
The opening ceremony precedes the first match at the Estadio Azteca, with Shakira headlining a performance of the official tournament song Dai Dai alongside Burna Boy. The lineup also features J Balvin, Tyla, Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules and Mana. Mexico City authorities declared 11 June a public holiday, closing schools and encouraging remote work.
The opening day's programme continues with South Korea against Czechia in Guadalajara, the second of the two matches staged on 11 June. Both nations begin their group campaigns the same day the host nation gets the tournament under way at the Azteca, adding a European versus Asian contest to the first day of action.
The other two host nations begin on 12 June. Canada, in Group B, meet Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto (3 p.m. ET), while the United States, coached by Mauricio Pochettino, open Group D against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (9 p.m. ET). Each city stages its own opening ceremony before kickoff.
With today's opener, the Estadio Azteca becomes the first venue to stage the opening match at three different World Cups, after 1970 and 1986. The largest stadium in Latin America, with a capacity of close to 87,500, it also remains the only ground to have hosted two World Cup finals. The Mexico City landmark sold out its opener.