It begins: Mexico vs South Africa opens the 2026 World Cup at the Azteca

Forty years after Diego Maradona lifted the trophy on its turf, the Estadio Azteca writes another chapter of World Cup history on Thursday. When Mexico and South Africa walk out at 1pm local time, the Azteca becomes the first stadium ever to stage matches at three World Cups — 1970, 1986 and now 2026.

For Mexico, the stakes could hardly be higher. El Tri have reached the round of 16 at seven straight World Cups they've played, only to fall at that hurdle every time. With home support across three Mexican venues and a favourable Group A draw alongside South Africa, South Korea and Czechia, the famous 'quinto partido' — a fifth game — finally feels within reach.

South Africa arrive at their first World Cup since hosting in 2010, when they memorably beat Mexico's group-stage opponents France. Hugo Broos's side is built on the Mamelodi Sundowns core that took bronze at the 2024 AFCON, and goalkeeper-captain Ronwen Williams is among the best in Africa.

Later on Thursday, South Korea face Czechia at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, with Son Heung-min beginning what is expected to be his final World Cup. By Saturday night all three host nations will have played: Canada open against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on Friday, and the United States face Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles the same evening.

It is the start of the biggest tournament football has ever seen: 48 teams, 104 matches, 16 stadiums and three countries over 39 days, ending at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on July 19.