On June 11, 2026, Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will host the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This historic stadium previously hosted World Cup opening matches in 1970, when Pelé won the trophy, and in 1986, when Maradona played brilliantly. No other stadium has ever hosted a World Cup opening match three times before.
Mexico will face South Africa, the same pairing that opened the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg. This tournament is historic for several reasons. For the first time, three nations are hosting together: the United States, Mexico and Canada. Mexico will become the first country to host the World Cup three times. Canada is hosting the men's World Cup for the first time.
The tournament features 48 teams instead of the traditional 32, creating 104 matches across 16 cities. Twelve groups of four teams will compete, replacing the old eight-group format. The United States will host 78 matches, while Mexico and Canada will each host 13.
Matches will be played in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco in the United States. Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey will host matches in Mexico. Toronto and Vancouver will host matches in Canada.
The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The tournament will last 39 days and stretch across three countries, creating a World Cup unlike any before it.