The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins on Thursday, June 11, with an opening ceremony at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, followed by the inaugural match between Mexico and South Africa. This edition is the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32.
According to FIFA's official schedule, the opening ceremony is set to start at 16:00 local time (22:00 GMT) and will include performances by international artists. The match kicks off at 17:00 local time (23:00 GMT).
Broadcast rights vary by region: in the United States, Fox Sports and Telemundo will air the event; in Canada, it will be on CTV and TSN; in the UK, BBC and ITV share coverage; in France, TF1 and beIN Sports are the official broadcasters.
Mexico qualified as host nation, while South Africa secured their spot through CAF qualifiers. This match marks the first time these two teams meet in a World Cup opener.
