The 2026 World Cup gets going on Thursday 11 June with just two fixtures, both from Group A. The standout is the curtain-raiser: co-hosts Mexico against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a near-rerun of the 2010 opener the sides drew. For Mexico, kicking off in front of a fervent home crowd, it is a chance to set the tone. For South Africa, back at a World Cup for the first time since they hosted it, simply being here is the story, even as underdogs.
The other game stays within the group: South Korea against Czechia in Guadalajara, which for UK viewers slips into the early hours of Friday. With the top two in each group — plus the eight best third-placed sides — through to the expanded round of 32, neither team will want to stumble early. South Korea, on a record-equalling run of World Cup appearances, lean on captain Son Heung-min; Czechia came through the European play-offs in strong form.
Today’s World Cup schedule in the UK, Thursday 11 June
- 20:00 — Mexico vs South Africa. Round: Group A, matchday 1 (group stage). TV: ITV1 (stream: ITVX). Stadium: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City).
- 03:00 (early hours of Friday 12 June) — South Korea vs Czechia. Round: Group A, matchday 1 (group stage). TV: ITV1 (stream: ITVX). Stadium: Estadio Akron (Guadalajara/Zapopan).
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