A historic kick-off

World Cup 2026 begins on 11 June 2026 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with co-hosts Mexico playing the opening match. It is a fitting stage: the Azteca becomes the first stadium in history to host matches at three different World Cups, having already staged the tournaments of 1970 and 1986.

What to expect from Mexico

El Tri carry the hopes of a nation that has reached the knockout rounds at every home World Cup. Roared on by a sell-out crowd more than 2,000 metres above sea level, Mexico will look to use the altitude and atmosphere of the Azteca to start their campaign with a statement.

• Date: Thursday 11 June 2026
• Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
• Significance: first ground to feature in three World Cups

The bigger picture

The opener launches a 39-day festival of 104 matches across 16 cities in three nations. For Mexico, the dream is to go beyond the round of 16 for the first time since 1986 — and there would be no better place to begin that journey than the stadium where Pelé and Maradona once lifted the trophy.