Match 1 · Group Stage · Group A

MexicovsSouth Africa

Kickoff

Stadium:: Thu 11 Jun, 13:00 (CST) · Mexico City
Mexico:: Thu 11 Jun, 13:00 (CST) · Mexico City time
South Africa:: Thu 11 Jun, 21:00 (GMT+2)
UTC:: Thu 11 Jun, 19:00 (UTC)

Venue

Stadium:: Estadio Azteca
City:: Mexico City, Mexico
Capacity:: 83,264
Coords:: 19.30°N 99.15°W

The story of this one

Mexico meet South Africa at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, June 11, 2026, match 1 of the tournament and an opening statement — first impressions in a three-game sprint carry real weight. Group A sends its top two through automatically, with the eight best third-placed teams across all twelve groups also advancing — so neither side can afford a flat ninety minutes.

Mexico City provides the stage — hosts the tournament opener, becoming the first stadium ever to feature in three different men’s World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026). Kickoff is 13:00 stadium time (CST); fans of Mexico and South Africa can check the exact hour back home in the times panel below.

Full time: 1–0

Make your pick

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AI panel — Phase 3

Multi-model probabilities (labelled model confidence, never odds) land here with the simulation engine.