Mexico vs South Africa: 2026 World Cup opening match guide (June 11)

It's here: on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Mexico opens the World Cup against South Africa at Estadio Azteca (officially Estadio Ciudad de México for FIFA). It's Match 1 of 104 and a historic moment: the Azteca becomes the first stadium in the world to host the opening match of three World Cups (1970, 1986, and 2026). This is the practical guide with everything you need to live it, whether you're at the stadium, at home, or on the streets of Mexico City.

Final score (Jun 11, 2026): 🇲🇽 Mexico 2-0 South Africa 🇿🇦. Goals from Julián Quiñones (9th min.) and Raúl Jiménez in the second half, in a match marked by three red cards. Mexico finally won a World Cup opener. In the other Group A game, South Korea beat Czechia 2-1. See the updated Group A table.

Opening match quick facts

Match: Mexico vs South Africa (Group A)
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. (Central Mexico time)
Venue: Estadio Azteca / Estadio Ciudad de México, Mexico City
Free broadcast in Mexico: Televisa (Canal 5 and Las Estrellas), TV Azteca (Azteca 7 and the Azteca Deportes app), and ViX

June 11 schedule: ceremony and kickoff

Opening day has its own agenda. If you're going to the stadium, arrive very early: there will be security checks, road closures, and a huge crowd.

9:00 a.m. — Gates open at Estadio Ciudad de México.
11:30 a.m. — The 2026 World Cup opening ceremony begins, with artists including Shakira, Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Los Ángeles Azules, and more.
12:05 p.m. — The ceremony ends; the teams come out to warm up.
1:00 p.m. — Kickoff: Mexico vs South Africa.

Where to watch Mexico vs South Africa for free

The good news is that the opening match is shown on free-to-air TV in Mexico:

Televisa: Canal 5 and Las Estrellas.
TV Azteca: Azteca 7 and, free via streaming, the Azteca Deportes app.
ViX: streaming broadcast.

If you're following from the United States, the game airs on Fox (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), with streaming on FOX One, Fubo, and the corresponding apps. In South Africa it airs on SuperSport and SABC.

Watch it free in Mexico City: the Zócalo FIFA Fan Festival

No ticket? No problem. Mexico City has set up the FIFA Fan Festival at the Zócalo, with one of the largest screens in the world to watch every match free and without a ticket, plus concerts, DJs, food, and activities. The Zócalo Fan Fest is open for all 39 days of the tournament, from June 11 to July 19.

If you'd rather not head downtown, all 16 boroughs of Mexico City will set up viewing areas with screens and cultural programming. Arrive early at the Zócalo on opening day: a full house is expected.

How to get to Estadio Azteca

Estadio Azteca is in the south of the city, in Coyoacán. The most practical way to get there by public transport is the Tren Ligero (Light Rail) to the Estadio Azteca station (connecting from Metro Tasqueña, Line 2). On match day there will be road closures and special operations, so avoid driving if you can and use ride apps only to reach a station.

Since gates open at 9:00 a.m. for a 1:00 p.m. match, plan to arrive several hours ahead. Here's our detailed step-by-step guide: How to get to Estadio Azteca for the 2026 World Cup.

What it means for Mexico: Group A and the schedule

Mexico landed in Group A and plays the opening match. Here are its group-stage fixtures:

June 11: Mexico vs South Africa (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City) — opening match.
June 18: Mexico vs South Korea, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (7:00 p.m. Central Mexico time).
June 24: Mexico vs Czechia, at Estadio Azteca (7:00 p.m. Central Mexico time) — the group-stage finale.

The 2026 World Cup is the first co-hosted by three countries —Mexico, the United States, and Canada— and Mexico hosts matches at three venues: Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara (Estadio Akron), and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA). See the full guide in our 2026 World Cup section.

Traveling to Mexico City for the match?

If you plan to experience it in the city, organize your trip as soon as possible: flights and hotels get more expensive as each match approaches. These guides will help:

And to compare prices in real time, check our flights and hotels search tools.

Frequently asked questions

What time is Mexico vs South Africa?

The opening match is played on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., Central Mexico time, at Estadio Azteca.

Where can I watch the match for free?

In Mexico it airs free on Televisa (Canal 5 and Las Estrellas), TV Azteca (Azteca 7 and its Azteca Deportes app), and ViX. Without a ticket, you can watch it on a giant screen at the Zócalo FIFA Fan Festival or at the viewing areas in the city's 16 boroughs.

Do I need a ticket for the Zócalo Fan Fest?

No. The Zócalo FIFA Fan Festival is free to enter and doesn't require a match ticket. Arrive early on opening day because huge crowds are expected.

How do I get to Estadio Azteca?

The most practical option is the Tren Ligero (Light Rail) to the Estadio Azteca station (from Metro Tasqueña). There will be road closures, so avoid driving and arrive several hours early: gates open at 9:00 a.m.

Who else does Mexico play in the group stage?

Mexico is in Group A (with South Africa, South Korea, and Czechia) and plays on June 11, 18, and 24. The first match is against South Africa at Estadio Azteca.