Mexico v South Africa: World Cup 2026 opening match – live
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in Mexico City as South Africa names its starting lineup to face the co-hosts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially commenced on Thursday, June 11, with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the tournament's opening match. The Group A clash, held in Mexico City, was scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 8:00 p.m. BST, 3:00 p.m. EDT, and 5:00 a.m. AEST. Media outlets tracked live scoring updates, highlights, and complete results for the historic opening fixture.[1][2][3]
Lineup announcements ahead of the match generated significant discussion among football fans. Much of the reaction focused on South Africa's decision to include defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi in their starting XI to face the Mexican squad. Fans online reacted to the defensive selection, with some noting that Mexican attacker Jimenez would face a tough test against the South African lineup.[2]
In addition to the action on the pitch, television coverage of the tournament's launch drew early attention from viewers. ITV broadcasted from a spectacular outdoor studio located on the Hudson River, which featured a prominent view of the Manhattan skyline. The broadcast presentation also featured pundit Roy Keane, while viewers compared the setup to rival coverage from the BBC.[3]
