The 2026 World Cup schedule opens on June 11, 2026, with the co-hosts starting the tournament and an Asian representative also competing.
On June 11, 2026, the first day of the 2026 World Cup program officially begins, featuring four nations competing in the first two matches of Group A.
The opening day of the 2026 World Cup features Mexico, one of the three co-host countries, making its tournament debut against South Africa. Mexico is the first nation to host the World Cup three times, previously in 1970 and 1986.
In another Group A match, South Korea, one of nine Asian representatives, will begin their 12th World Cup appearance facing the Czech Republic, which returns to the tournament after 20 years and marks its 10th appearance (including 8 times as Czechoslovakia).
Thursday night, June 11, 2026 (early morning June 12)
02:00 (Group A) Mexico vs South Africa
Friday morning, June 12, 2026
09:00 (Group A) South Korea vs Czech Republic