World Cup 2026 Kicks Off: Mexico Opens Against South Africa at the Azteca
Exactly 16 years later - same opponent, same opening-night script. Shakira, Burna Boy, and the first match of the biggest World Cup ever.
Football owns the planet again today. World Cup 2026 opened in Mexico City: Mexico vs South Africa at the Azteca. Match one of 104. Ceremony one of three - Toronto and Los Angeles follow tomorrow.
And here’s the beautiful part: it’s a rematch of the 2010 opener. Same date, June 11, exactly 16 years after those two teams drew 1-1 in Johannesburg. First time in history an opening fixture has ever been repeated. Mexico also becomes the only country to host a men’s World Cup opener three times.
The ceremony starts 90 minutes before kickoff. Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin on stage. Official tournament anthem: “Dai Dai.” For Mexicans this isn’t just a concert - the Azteca is a temple. Pelé lifted the trophy here. Maradona did his thing here. Today it’s full again and the whole country stops.
The format is unlike anything before: 48 teams, 16 cities, three countries - Mexico, Canada, USA. Final on July 19 in New York. Until then - a month of chaos, drama, and VAR arguments at 3 a.m. your time.
Today’s schedule isn’t just Mexico City. Tonight in Zapopan - South Korea vs Czechia. Tomorrow ceremonies roll in Canada and the US, then USA vs Paraguay in Los Angeles.
In the background there’s a separate Iran story: the squad flew in, staff got visas, but fan ticket allocations got pulled. Politics and sport in the same frame again.
Who’s the favorite tonight? Mexico at home - obvious answer. But South Africa knows how to show up in openers: they didn’t lose in 2010. Skeptics point out Mexico hasn’t shined at big tournaments in a while. Optimists say hosting the opener three times isn’t a joke - pressure cuts both ways.
The ball is rolling. The month everyone waited four years for (eight, technically, with the delay) has finally started.