World Cup 2026 opening match: when and where

The 2026 World Cup begins on Thursday 11 June 2026, and tradition holds: a host nation gets the opening game.

Mexico at the Azteca

Co-hosts Mexico open the tournament at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — the only stadium to have staged two previous World Cup finals (1970 and 1986). It is a fitting place to start the biggest World Cup yet.

From that first whistle, 104 matches run across 39 days to the final on 19 July. Check kickoff times on the scores page.