orywireNews that matters in AmericaReporting on public life, technology, money, and policy in the United States.
orywireMexico and South Africa open the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, June 11, at 3 p.m. ET. The opener airs on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish, with streaming listed on FOX One, Tubi and Peacock.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens Thursday, June 11, with Mexico vs. South Africa at 3 p.m. ET. The opener airs on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish, with streaming options listed by broadcasters including FOX One, Tubi and Peacock.
Mexico vs. South Africa is Match 1 of the tournament and is scheduled for Mexico City Stadium, the FIFA venue name used for the stadium commonly known as Estadio Azteca. U.S. broadcast listings show kickoff at 3 p.m. ET, which is 2 p.m. CT, 1 p.m. MT and noon PT.
The match is in Group A. Mexico is one of the three host nations, and FIFA says the opener repeats the Mexico-South Africa matchup that began the 2010 World Cup.
FOX says World Cup matches stream on FOX One, and FOX Sports lists Tubi for the opening match. That gives U.S. viewers English-language streaming options through FOX One and Tubi, subject to each service’s availability and access rules.
Telemundo’s schedule lists Mexico vs. South Africa on Peacock for Spanish-language streaming. Viewers planning to stream should check the app before kickoff, especially if they need to sign in through a subscription or TV provider.
FIFA says the match starts the first 48-team World Cup, expanded to 104 matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada. It is the first game of a Group A slate that includes Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and Czechia.
After the opener, Group A continues later Thursday with South Korea vs. Czechia at 10 p.m. ET from Guadalajara Stadium. Fox Sports lists that game on FS1 and FOX One, while Telemundo’s schedule lists Telemundo and Peacock.
The opener’s time and U.S. broadcast listings were unchanged at the final check. Viewers should still confirm the local FOX or Telemundo station and test streaming access before kickoff.
Because the match had not started at publication time, there was no score, live status or official lineup to include. This story should be refreshed when lineups are released, if broadcaster listings change or once the game begins.
