When does Mexico start playing in the 2026 World Cup? Full schedule
Jack McKessyEditor's note: Follow Mexico vs. South Africa live updates and highlights from the 2026 World Cup opener.
Mexico is special among the three nations hosting the 2026 World Cup. While the United States and Canada have to wait for June 12 to play their first matches, the Mexican national team, El Tricolor, has the honor of kicking off the tournament at home.
El Tri faces off against South Africa in the tournament-opening match of the World Cup at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It's the first of two matches on June 11 and the start of Group A play. The contest also serves as a rematch of the two teams that played in the first game of the 2010 World Cup, which South Africa hosted.
That being the case, Mexico is obviously not new to the distinction of playing the first match of the tournament. In fact, no team has opened more World Cups than El Tri. Their match against South Africa on June 11 will be the eighth time Mexico has kicked off a World Cup.
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This year, Mexico is looking to break the curse that has plagued it since its first tournament opener in 1930: El Tri has never won a game to start a World Cup. The Mexican national team's previous two outings to open the World Cup – against the Soviet Union in 1970 and South Africa in 2010 – both finished in a draw.
Mexico will also play a couple of friendly matches ahead of the tournament as it locks in its final roster. Here's a look at El Tri's schedule over the coming weeks:
Mexico national team schedule 2026
- May 30 vs. Australia in Pasadena, California (friendly) – BUY TICKETS
- June 4 vs. Serbia in Toluca, Mexico (friendly) – BUY TICKETS
- June 11 vs. South Africa – Mexico City Stadium (2026 World Cup) – BUY TICKETS
- June 18 vs. Korea – Guadalajara Stadium (World Cup) – BUY TICKETS
- June 24 vs. Czechia – Mexico City Stadium (World Cup) – BUY TICKETS
Mexico World Cup Group A
Mexico was an automatic qualifier for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations. It was drawn into Group A along with three other international squads.
- Mexico
- Czechia
- Korea
- South Africa
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- Atlanta | Boston | Dallas | Houston | Kansas City | Miami | Los Angeles | Philadelphia | New York | San Francisco | Seattle | Guadalajara | Mexico City | Monterrey | Toronto | Vancouver
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