Who’s playing today in the World Cup: kickoff times for Mexico vs. South Africa, South Korea vs. the Czech Republic, and the matches for Thursday, June 11, 2026

The World Cup schedule for Thursday features two matches, both from Matchday 1 of the group stage (Group A).

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– Senior Staff Writer

· June 11, 2026

The 2026 World Cup kicks off this Thursday, June 11, and the opening lineup is short but packed with symbolism: two matches, both from the first round of the group stage, both in Group A, and both played on Mexican soil.

The highlight of the day is the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. This is where the tournament really comes to life—and the host team, led by Javier Aguirre, wants to get off on the right foot in front of a sold-out Azteca crowd.

Interestingly, it’s a rematch of the game that opened the 2010 World Cup in South Africa , which ended in a draw. And the venue makes history: Azteca becomes the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches, following those in 1970 and 1986.

In the early hours of the morning in Portugal , the group’s second match will be played: South Korea versus the Czech Republic in Guadalajara. The Czechs are returning to the world’s biggest soccer tournament for the first time since 2006, while the South Koreans, coached by Hong Myung-bo and led by captain Son Heung-min, are once again establishing themselves as regulars in the final stages.

Since this is everyone’s debut in the tournament, there are no standings or results to factor in yet: everything is wide open. In a balanced group—which also includes Mexico and South Africa—both teams know that a strong start is crucial, as the top two teams advance directly to the round of 16, joining the eight best third-place finishers.

For the host team, the immediate goal is the same: to earn points so they don’t have to fight for survival as early as the second matchday.