World Cup LIVE: Mexico hosting South Africa in tournament's opening match

Updated
The 2026 World Cup is starting in Mexico City
The 2026 World Cup is starting in Mexico CityLuis Cortes / Reuters

The 2026 World Cup is here! Host nation Mexico open the tournament with a clash against South Africa in Mexico City, before fellow Group A sides South Korea and the Czech Republic do battle in the city of Zapopan, and you can follow both matches live with Flashscore.

Today's matches:

Mexico vs South Africa - 21:00 CET

South Korea vs Czech Republic - 04:00 CET

Live updates:

17:18 CET - Co-hosts Mexico are considered by many as the favourites to win a wide-open Group A, and they'll be determined to lay down a marker when they take on Hugo Broos' South Africa in Mexico City later.

El Tri boast an impressive unbeaten record across their last seven tournament openers (W5, D2), including a 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana at the 2010 World Cup.

As for Broos' men, they arrive in North America on the back of a five-game winless run; hardly ideal preparation as they look to advance to the World Cup knockouts for the very first time.

Read our in-depth preview of Group A here!

Mexico vs South Africa win probability
Mexico vs South Africa win probabilityOpta by StatsPerform

15:50 CET - Hello and welcome to Flashscore's live coverage of the 2026 World Cup!

The greatest show on earth is finally here, and one of its three host nations will be kicking it off today, with Mexico taking on South Africa at 21:00 CET.

The opening clash will be followed by one between fellow Group A nations South Korea and the Czech Republic, who will do battle at 04:00 CET.

We'll be providing live coverage of both matches, as well as all the build-up - bring it on!

The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 48 national teams and will be played in 16 modern stadiums.

Match schedule and times | Group tables | Full squads for World Cup | How to watch the World Cup 

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