This Thursday, June 11, 2026, the football world has its eyes fixed on Mexico City. At 9 p.m. French time, kick-off will echo under the floodlights of the Estadio Azteca, the legendary 87,000-seat stadium that is hosting the opening match of a World Cup for the third time in its history. In 1970, it saw Mexico open the tournament against the USSR. In 1986, it was again chosen to inaugurate the competition. Today, in 2026, it enters legend with an honor no other venue has ever known.

An opening match loaded with symbolism

Mexico face South Africa, and for football lovers this duel immediately recalls the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That match, the very first played on African soil, ended in a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg. Sixteen years later, the two teams meet again to open hostilities, but this time Mexico are playing at home.

For El Tri, the statistics are flattering. Mexico remain unbeaten in their seven World Cup matches played at the Azteca: five wins and two draws. Even better, since 1994, the Mexican national team has never lost a World Cup opening match, with five wins and two draws. The pressure is enormous, but history is pushing El Tri in the right direction.

Javier Aguirre's Mexico: a team looking to the future

Under Javier Aguirre, the coach who knows the World Cup inside out, Mexico arrive with a younger but experienced squad. Striker Raúl Jiménez will carry the attacking hopes of a whole nation, supported by players such as Julián Quiñones and Roberto Alvarado. In midfield, Edson Álvarez will be responsible for organizing play and protecting the defense. In goal, Raul Rangel will have to keep the net safe.

“The Azteca is our fortress. 87,000 supporters pushing behind us is not something you explain, it is something you live.” — Javier Aguirre, pre-match press conference

The tactical challenge will nevertheless be real. Mexico will have to manage the pressure from the stands, the altitude of Mexico City (2,240 meters), and a well-organized African opponent. Group A also includes South Korea and the Czech Republic, making every point precious from this first match.

South Africa, the ambitious outsider

For the Bafana Bafana, this World Cup is a huge moment. Qualified after years of struggle, South Africa arrive in Mexico City determined to spring a surprise. Belgian coach Hugo Broos has rebuilt a solid and collective team. In goal, captain Ronwen Williams is one of Africa's best. In attack, Lyle Foster and the young Relebohile Mofokeng can hurt any defense.

Broos himself recognizes the scale of the event: “It will be a special and fantastic experience for us, because my players have never played in this kind of situation before.” Discipline will be the key word against a stadium that will be 95% behind Mexico.

The stakes go beyond football

Around the stadium, the excitement has already been palpable for several days. Hundreds of thousands of Mexican fans have poured into the capital to experience this moment. Flags decorate the streets, bars are full and giant screens have been installed in parks and public squares. An entire people is holding its breath.

This 2026 World Cup is also the first to bring together 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of 4. The format offers more opportunities, but the pressure of the opening matches is no smaller. A defeat here would not be fatal, but it would seriously complicate the rest of the campaign.

What time and on which channel to watch the match?

• Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
• Time: 9:00 p.m. (Paris time) — 7:00 p.m. GMT
• Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
• Broadcast: TF1, beIN Sports and M6 (depending on rights in force)
• Referee: Appointed by FIFA

For French supporters who want to enjoy the atmosphere of this opening match without getting up during the night, they only need to switch on their television in the early evening. A luxury compared with previous editions organized in distant time zones.

Our prediction: El Tri win at home

All the conditions seem to favor a Mexican victory. Altitude, home support, history, recent form — everything points toward El Tri. That said, football always has surprises in store, and South Africa have the resources to leave with at least a point. We expect a tight match, with a Mexican edge, for a 2-1 win or a 1-0 scoreline.

One thing is certain: this Thursday evening, the Estadio Azteca will shake like rarely before. And the 2026 World Cup will finally, truly, begin.