When is the World Cup 2026? Opening Game, Kick Off Times, Final Date
Mexico will kick off the 2026 World Cup as a host nation on Thursday afternoon in Mexico City, and all of the action begins from there. Let's take a look at the complete early schedule for the World Cup's first matches on Thursday, June 11th.
Peter Alexis - June 11, 2026, 10:45 AM EDT
4 Minute ReadFull 2026 World Cup Schedule for Opening Matches, Final, Teams to Watch
The 2026 World Cup begins Thursday, June 11, with co-host Mexico opening the tournament against South Africa at 3 p.m. ET in Mexico City. Mexico is a -230 favorite at home, giving El Tri a high-pressure but favorable start in front of its own fans.
The second match of the tournament also takes place in Mexico on June 11, with South Korea facing Czechia at 10 p.m. ET in Guadalajara. That gives Group A the full opening-day spotlight before Canada and the United States begin their own host-country campaigns one day later.
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2026 FIFA World Cup Early Schedule
World Cup 2026 Opening Game
Mexico vs. South Africa is the first match of the 2026 World Cup, and it comes with plenty of historical symmetry. South Africa also faced Mexico in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, when Bafana Bafana hosted the tournament and played to a memorable 1-1 draw.
This time, Mexico gets the home-field edge. El Tri is a -230 favorite, and with Mexico favored to win Group A, anything less than three points would immediately create pressure in a group that also includes South Korea and Czechia.
First Day Schedule
The opening day features two Group A matches, both in Mexico.
• Thursday, June 11, 3 p.m. ET: Mexico (-230) vs. South Africa • Thursday, June 11, 10 p.m. ET: South Korea (+170) vs. Czechia
Mexico will draw the biggest crowd and the biggest betting attention, but South Korea vs. Czechia could be the more important matchup for the group’s second-place race. South Korea brings Son Heung-min and recent knockout-stage experience, while Czechia enters as a tough European side trying to make an immediate statement.
When Does The USA Play Its First World Cup Game?
The United States opens its World Cup on Friday, June 12, at 9 p.m. ET against Paraguay in Los Angeles. The USMNT is a slight -105 favorite, essentially priced near even money in a Group D opener that could shape the entire American path.
This is a crucial first match for the USA because Group D also includes Turkey and Australia. With the Americans playing in front of a home crowd at Los Angeles Stadium, the expectation is that Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and the rest of the group start fast and avoid turning the Turkey match into a must-win spot.
Other Notable Early World Cup Games
Canada also begins on Friday, June 12, when it faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. That gives all three host nations, Mexico, Canada, and the United States, opening-match spotlight moments across the first two days of the tournament.
The first weekend brings several major matchups, including Brazil vs. Morocco on Saturday, June 13, and Netherlands vs. Japan in Group F. Brazil-Morocco is especially important after Morocco’s 2022 semifinal run, while Netherlands-Japan could help decide one of the more balanced groups in the tournament.
Major Group Stage Dates To Watch
England opens against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17, in one of the biggest early tests for a top contender. England is expected to win Group L, but Croatia brings major tournament pedigree and could immediately challenge the Three Lions for first place.
France opens against Senegal on Tuesday, June 16, in another high-end group-stage matchup. France is one of the tournament favorites, while Senegal has recent knockout-stage experience and enough talent to make that opener one of the best tests of the first week.
Portugal vs. Colombia on Saturday, June 27, is another standout. Portugal is the Group K favorite and one of the top five outright contenders, but Colombia has enough attacking talent to steal the group if it wins that direct matchup.
When Is The 2026 World Cup Final?
The 2026 World Cup Final will be played Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The venue is usually known as MetLife Stadium, but it will use the temporary FIFA-approved name during the tournament.
The final closes a 39-day tournament featuring 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the field expanded to 48 teams and the new Round of 32 added to the knockout stage, the 2026 World Cup will be the largest edition in tournament history.
World Cup 2026 Schedule Summary
The tournament starts with Mexico in front of a home crowd, quickly shifts to the USA and Canada openers, and then builds into a packed group-stage schedule across 16 host venues. The expanded format gives more teams a path into the knockout rounds, but it also creates more high-leverage matches for third-place positioning.
The key dates are simple: the World Cup begins Thursday, June 11, the USA opens Friday, June 12, and the final arrives Sunday, July 19, in New Jersey. From Mexico’s opener to the title match at New York New Jersey Stadium, the 2026 World Cup is built to be the biggest tournament FIFA has ever staged.
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