Find out all the key details ahead of Mexico-South Africa and Korea Republic-Czechia on Matchday 1 at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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Co-hosts face a familiar FIFA World Cup foe in the capital
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Guadalajara plays host to Czechia and Korea Republic
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See the full FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule
The waiting is over. Almost eight years to the day that Canada, Mexico and USA were appointed co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, this record-breaking global showpiece kicks off on 11 June.
As excitement reaches fever pitch around the globe, Mexico finds itself firmly in the spotlight. El Tri will shoulder the hopes of a nation when they take on South Africa, the team they faced at the same stage of the tournament in 2010, in a high-stakes Opening Match.
The focus will then shift to Guadalajara, where Asia and Europe are represented as Korea Republic do battle with a Czechia side still on a high from their success in the UEFA play-offs.
Who will end Matchday 1 with the upper hand in Group A? Find out more on the matches and teams below.