World Cup 2026: Mexico vs South Africa – Where and how to watch

The Estadio Azteca will host the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where hosts Mexico face South Africa in a highly anticipated curtain-raiser to the biggest edition of the tournament ever staged.

Date, Venue and Kick-Off Time

The opening match is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Mexico City at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

Kick-off is set for 10:00 PM (22:00) Saudi time and 11:00 PM (23:00) UAE time, marking the official start of the tournament that will run until July 19, when the final is played at the New York–New Jersey Stadium in the United States.

Historic Start to a Record-Breaking World Cup

This edition of the FIFA World Cup will be the first in history to feature 48 teams, significantly expanding the competition and increasing the total number of matches to 104.

The scale of the tournament has raised global anticipation, with expectations that it will be one of the most competitive and widely followed World Cups ever staged.

Mexico’s Historic Hosting Role

For Mexico, the 2026 tournament marks a historic milestone as the country becomes the first ever to host the World Cup finals three times, following previous editions in 1970 and 1986.

As co-host alongside the United States and Canada, Mexico also carries the honour of hosting the tournament’s opening match, adding further significance to the occasion.

Opening Clash With South Africa

The first match will see Mexico take on South Africa in Group A, which also includes South Korea and the Czech Republic.

The fixture carries additional historical weight, as it mirrors the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, when South Africa hosted Mexico in the tournament’s curtain-raiser. This time, the roles are reversed, with Mexico hosting the opening game on home soil.

Broadcasting Channels

The broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup are held by beIN Sports across several regions.

The opening match between Mexico and South Africa will be shown on beIN Sports channels, including beIN Max 1, beIN Max 2, and beIN SPORTS HD.

How to Watch Online

Fans who prefer to stream the match online can follow the action through the TOD TV app or via beIN Connect.

Both platforms are expected to provide live coverage, giving viewers access to the opening match from anywhere in the world.

With global attention fixed on the Azteca Stadium, the opening fixture between Mexico and South Africa is set to launch a landmark edition of world football’s biggest tournament in spectacular fashion.