World Cup 2026 Day 1 Match Preview: Mexico vs South Africa, South Korea vs Czechia & More

June 11, 2026 — the day the world stops. Four matches across three nations open the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beginning with the tournament opener at the Estadio Azteca and concluding with a Group F clash in Guadalajara. Here is your complete preview of every match on Day 1 of the greatest sporting event on earth.

Match 1: Mexico vs South Africa — 3pm ET, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

The tournament opener. 87,000 fans inside the most legendary stadium in football. Mexico, the co-host nation, face South Africa — a side returning to the World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010. The atmosphere inside the Azteca will be unlike anything in sport. Mexico are heavy favourites at home, but South Africa's physical, organised defending and dangerous counter-attacking pace make them capable of an upset. Prediction: Mexico 2-0 South Africa. Key player: Mexico's striker to open his World Cup account.

Match 2: South Korea vs Czechia — 6pm ET, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara

Group A's second fixture pits Son Heung-min's South Korea against Czechia — a nation returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Both sides are targeting the Round of 32 as minimum, making this an immediately significant match. Czechia's European league quality vs South Korea's Premier League core — a genuinely even contest. Prediction: 1-1 draw. Key player: Son Heung-min, playing his final World Cup opener as captain.

Match 3: Germany vs Curaçao — 9pm ET, BMO Field, Toronto

Germany's Group E opener against debutants Curaçao at BMO Field in Toronto should be straightforward on paper — but Germany will be wary of complacency. Curaçao, the smallest nation in the tournament by population, arrive with nothing to lose and the adrenaline of making their first-ever World Cup appearance. Germany's young squad — Wirtz and Musiala particularly — will be desperate to make an immediate statement. Prediction: Germany 4-0 Curaçao. Key player: Florian Wirtz, announcing himself to the world.

Match 4: Japan vs Tunisia — 9pm ET, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara

The final match of Day 1 pits Japan against Tunisia in a Group F opener that both sides desperately need to win. Japan — coming off their 2022 giant-killing campaign — target another deep run. Tunisia, who beat France in 2022's group stage, are capable of producing results against technically superior opposition. The match kicks off simultaneously with Germany vs Curaçao, so football fans face their first scheduling dilemma of the tournament. Prediction: Japan 2-1 Tunisia. Key player: Japan's European-based midfield quartet controlling the game's tempo.

Day 1 Viewing Guide

All four Day 1 matches are broadcast in the United States on FOX and FS1, with Spanish language coverage on Telemundo and Peacock. The Mexico vs South Africa opener streams free on Tubi. For fans in multiple time zones, the schedule is: 3pm ET / 12pm PT (Mexico vs South Africa), 6pm ET / 3pm PT (South Korea vs Czechia), 9pm ET / 6pm PT (Germany vs Curaçao and Japan vs Tunisia simultaneously). Set your reminders — Day 1 of the 2026 World Cup is here.