World Cup 2026 Kicks Off with Mexico and South Korea in Action

The long-awaited World Cup is set to commence, with the 2026 edition beginning on Wednesday. Group A will take center stage on the opening day, featuring exciting matches that fans won’t want to miss.

The tournament will start with Mexico facing South Korea on Thursday, June 11, at 3 p.m. ET in Mexico City, broadcast on Fox. As the host nation alongside Canada and the United States, Mexico has earned the privilege of kicking off the competition. The odds favor Mexico significantly, with a line of -235 compared to South Africa's +650 and a tie at +340.

Guillermo Ochoa, who is 40 years old, is poised to make his sixth World Cup appearance, although it's uncertain whether he will start or if Tala Rangel will take the position instead. Leading the Mexican offense is Raul Jiménez, with 17-year-old Gilberto Mora expected to play a key role in midfield after agreeing to stay with Club Tijuana.

Meanwhile, South Africa returns to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, where they failed to advance beyond the group stage. They are seen as underdogs again, with most players competing domestically; however, Burnley striker Lyle Foster will be a notable presence in the attack.

Later on the same day, South Korea will face Czechia at 10 p.m. ET in Guadalajara, airing on FS1. This match could be crucial for determining the second-place team in the group, assuming Mexico secures the top spot.

South Korea is making its tenth consecutive World Cup appearance, having reached the Round of 16 in Qatar 2022 before being defeated by Brazil. The team is captained by Son Heung-Min, a former Tottenham player now with LAFC, who is looking to regain his stellar form. On the other side, Czechia returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, hoping to improve on its last significant run as Czechoslovakia in 1990. Patrik Schik will lead the attack, with Tomáš Souček remaining a vital figure in midfield after a recent leadership controversy.