The World Cup 2026 begins Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, putting Group A, U.S. host cities and FIFA ticket pricing under early attention.
The expanded World Cup 2026 features 48 teams, 104 matches and 16 host cities across Mexico, Canada and the United States, creating the largest tournament schedule in FIFA World Cup history.
World Cup 2026 Group A starts in Mexico
Mexico opens the tournament against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The second Group A match is South Korea against the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Mexico enters the tournament with major home support and added pressure after failing to advance from the group stage in 2022 for the first time since 1978. El Tri’s squad includes veteran forward Raúl Jiménez, 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who is set for a record sixth World Cup appearance.
South Africa is playing in its fourth World Cup and its first since hosting the tournament in 2010. South Korea, led by captain Son Heung-min, has qualified for 11 straight tournaments since 1986 and reached the round of 16 in 2022. The Czech Republic returns to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years.
U.S. viewers track host cities and ticket scrutiny
For U.S. fans, the tournament quickly shifts north. Canada opens against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on Friday, June 12, 2026, while the United States faces Paraguay in Inglewood, California, the same day.
Ticket prices are also drawing scrutiny. Officials in New York, New Jersey and Texas are investigating FIFA ticketing practices, including pricing and seat-location concerns. Some final tickets for Sunday, July 19, 2026, have been listed near $33,000.
How the expanded knockout path works
The 48-team format gives more nations a route into the knockout rounds. Teams must finish in the top two of their group or among the eight best third-place teams to reach the round of 32, which begins Sunday, June 28, 2026.
The opening matches matter beyond symbolism. Group A results could shape Mexico’s home-tournament hopes, South Korea’s path behind Son Heung-min and the wider knockout picture in the first World Cup staged across three North American countries.
