The World Cup 2026 start is finally here. Mexico hosts South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 1pm CST, marking the beginning of the first-ever 48-team World Cup.
This historic tournament is also the first co-hosted by three nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Across the opening day, eight matches will unfold. South Korea faces Czechia. Canada takes on Bosnia. The USA meets Paraguay. Qatar battles Switzerland. Brazil clashes with Morocco. Haiti goes head-to-head with Scotland. And Australia rounds out the slate against Türkiye. Each match is spread across host cities in all three countries.
Expanding from 32 to 48 teams changes everything. More nations. More fans. More dreams. The tournament structure now includes 16 groups of three, with the top two from each advancing to a 32-team knockout round. In total, 104 matches will be played, 40 more than in 2022.
Argentina arrives as the defending champions after their dramatic shootout victory over France in 2022. But this year, the path is wider and more unpredictable. The 48-team World Cup opens doors for underdogs. Haiti, Bosnia, and Türkiye all have their first real shot at deep runs.
Matches will be played across iconic North American stadiums, from the rose-bowl in Los Angeles to BC Place in Vancouver and the Azteca itself. The tournament runs through July 19, with the final staged in New York.
Day one delivers action across three time zones. By midnight, the first points of the World Cup 2026 start will be on the board. No team can win the cup today. But every champion’s journey begins somewhere. For 48 nations, that somewhere is right now.
