Mexico Kicks Off 2026 World Cup with Victory; Co-Hosts Prepare
Published June 11, 2026 · Last updated June 12, 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun, with Mexico securing a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match. Co-host nations Canada and the United States are now preparing for their respective first fixtures, scheduled for Friday.
Published — local time around the world
The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted across North America by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has commenced with an exciting start. Mexico, one of the three host nations, delivered a strong performance in the tournament's inaugural match, defeating South Africa by a score of 2-0. This early victory sets a positive tone for El Tri as they navigate the expanded 48-team global showpiece.
Fans across the continent are now looking forward to seeing the other co-hosts take to the pitch. Both the Canadian Men’s National Team and the U.S. Men’s National Team are deep in preparations for their opening fixtures. Reports indicate that both teams are set to play their first matches of the tournament this coming Friday, aiming to emulate Mexico's winning start and ignite their campaigns on home soil.
The 2026 World Cup marks a historic moment for football, being the first to feature 48 nations competing across 16 venues throughout June and July. With the initial match already concluded, the focus now shifts to the numerous upcoming clashes, promising a month of thrilling action as teams vie for global supremacy. The early success of a host nation like Mexico only adds to the excitement surrounding this monumental event.