Soccer today at the 2026 World Cup: What time are Mexico vs. South Africa and South Korea vs. the Czech Republic playing this Thursday, June 11?

Only two matches open the World Cup schedule this Thursday, both for the opening round of the group stage.

· 11 June, 2026

After such a long wait, the ball is finally rolling. This Thursday, June 11, the 2026 World Cup kicks off—the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, spread across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The opening day features a short schedule: two matches, both on the first matchday of Group A. All eyes are on the opener: Mexico vs. South Africa, the opening match of the World Cup in Mexico City, at the historic Azteca Stadium, which hosted the 1970 and 1986 finals. For the host nation, which is also headlining the opening match, the goal is clear: start with a win to set the stage for qualification.

A note for Argentine fans: La Scaloneta is still waiting for its turn—it won’t play until June 16 against Algeria. South Korea and the Czech Republic, also from Group A, will close out the night at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara. Since no one has played yet, the four teams start on equal footing, and every result carries significant weight in the battle for the two spots in the next round. The Koreans, semifinalists in 2002, and the Czechs, back on the world stage, also know that Mexico is the favorite to top the group.

The World Cup schedule, Thursday, June 11

4:00 p.m. — Mexico vs. South Africa. Round: first matchday of the group stage (Group A). TV: TyC Sports, DSPORTS, and ESPN (Disney+ Premium Plan). Stadium: Azteca (Mexico City).
11:00 PM — South Korea vs. Czech Republic. Round: first matchday of the group stage (Group A). TV: DSPORTS (DGO), the only channel broadcasting all 104 matches. Stadium: Akron (Guadalajara).