Fans descend on Mexico City Stadium ahead of the opening match of World Cup 2026 - between Mexico and South Africa - on Thursday, June 11.

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. It marks the first World Cup to be staged across three countries and the first to feature an expanded 48-team format, up from 32 teams.

Mexico is hosting World Cup matches for a third time, having previously welcomed the tournament in 1970 and 1986.

The opening fixture is a repeat of the first match of the 2010 World Cup, when hosts South Africa faced Mexico in Johannesburg. The 2026 final is scheduled to take place on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.