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Opening match · FIFA World Cup 2026
Mexico v South Africa
The Opener at the Azteca
Thu, Jun 11, 2:00 PM JA📍 Estadio Azteca · MexicoMatchday 1
Why it matters
The 2026 World Cup begins where football history lives: Estadio Azteca becomes the first stadium to stage matches at three World Cups, after 1970 and 1986.
Co-hosts Mexico carry the hopes of the most passionate home crowd of the tournament — and the famous altitude of Mexico City makes the Azteca one of the hardest places on earth to visit.