The wait is officially over. Today, June 11, 2026, the biggest, most inclusive, and highly anticipated sports event on the planet clears its throat and roars to life. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is officially underway, breaking ground across three host nations—the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
With an expanded grid of 48 teams and a grueling but exhilarating 104-match schedule, football is truly opening its doors to the entire globe. Here is everything you need to know about today’s historic kickoff, the opening match, and how the tournament is reshaping sports history.
The Historic Opener: Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca
There is no venue more fitting to launch this monumental tournament than the legendary Estadio Azteca (officially designated as Mexico City Stadium for the tournament). When the referee blows the whistle for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, the venue will cement itself in the immortal halls of football history.
History in the Making: Estadio Azteca becomes the first stadium ever to host World Cup matches across three different tournament editions (1970, 1986, and 2026). This is the very grass where Pelé lifted the trophy and Diego Maradona executed his famous “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century.”
Today’s Match Schedule (Thursday, June 11, 2026)
| Match | Group | Time (US Eastern) | Venue | Broadcast Network / Stream |
| Mexico vs. South Africa | Group A | 3:00 PM ET (1:00 PM Local) | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) | FOX, Tubi (Free Stream), Peacock |
| South Korea vs. Czechia | Group A | 10:00 PM ET (8:00 PM Local) | Guadalajara Stadium | FS1, FOX Sports App, Peacock |
A New Era: The 48-Team Format Shake-Up
If you thought previous World Cups were intense, brace yourself. The 2026 edition completely rewrites the tournament rules. This marks the first time the grid has expanded from its classic 32-team structure to a massive 48-team format.
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The Group Stage Setup: The 48 nations are split into 12 groups of four.
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The Safe Passage: The top two teams from each group will automatically punch their tickets to the knockout rounds.
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The Wildcard Lifeline: They will be joined by the eight best third-placed teams, meaning every single goal, yellow card, and goal-difference point will matter until the final second of the group stage.
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New Faces on the Block: The expansion has opened the floodgates for inspiring debutants. Keep an eye out for Curaçao, Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, all logging their first-ever World Cup appearances.
Star-Studded Opening Ceremonies: “Dai Dai” Lights Up Mexico City
A tournament of this magnitude requires an opening spectacle to match. Because the tournament spans three massive nations, FIFA is doing something unprecedented: executing three separate opening ceremonies as each host nation plays its first game.
Today’s ceremony at the Azteca will kick off 90 minutes before the opening match. Pop icon Shakira and Afrobeat giant Burna Boy are set to headline the stadium, performing the official 2026 World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai.” Joining them on stage are global Latin and pop sensations Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, and Tyla.
(Note: Canada’s opening ceremony will take place tomorrow, June 12, in Toronto featuring Michael Bublé, while the US will launch its star-studded Hollywood trilogy in Los Angeles later that evening).
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 Live Today
Cord-cutters and traditional TV enthusiasts are both in luck for day one. For audiences in North America, FOX holds the primary English-language broadcast rights, while Peacock and TUDN handle Spanish-language coverage.
In a massive win for streaming accessibility, FIFA has partnered to broadcast both today’s Mexico vs. South Africa opener and tomorrow’s USA vs. Paraguay match live and completely free on Tubi (requires a simple, free account sign-in). Additional streaming alternatives include Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, and the official FIFA+ platform.
The drama, the politics, and the endless supercomputer predictions fade away the moment the ball rolls at the Azteca. For the next 39 days, the world stops to watch. Let the games begin!