Mexico, South Africa open 2026 World Cup at Azteca
The 2026 edition will feature 48 nations, 104 matches and be cohosted by the United States, Canada and Meksiko.
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will stage the opening match of the 2026 World Cup when Meksiko meets Afrika Selatan on Friday (12/6) at 02.00 WIB. A day before kickoff, the Azteca area was already packed with supporters from several countries hunting for tickets and adding to the tournament atmosphere. The matchup reprises the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, when Afrika Selatan held Meksiko to a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg. The 2026 edition comes on a larger scale: 48 teams, 104 matches and three cohosts, the United States, Canada and Meksiko. For Meksiko, it is a third staging after 1970 and 1986, a record no other country has matched. Coach Javier Aguirre is also leading El Tri at the World Cup for the third time.