Who’s playing today at the World Cup?: The schedule featuring the opening match Mexico vs. South Africa and South Korea vs. the Czech Republic on Thursday, June 11

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 ·  June 11, 2026

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The time has finally come: This Thursday, June 11, 2026, the ball will roll again. The World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico is the first to feature 48 teams, divided into twelve groups of four—and the first matchday of the group stage begins modestly, yet with the greatest possible moment. The schedule features exactly two matches, both in Group A, both in Mexico. For German fans, that means: one evening match during prime time and a second match in the middle of the night.

The clear highlight is the opening match between host Mexico and South Africa. The venue is the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City—and this is historic: it is the first stadium ever to host a World Cup opening match for the third time. Mexico enters the tournament with the energy of a home crowd and the ambition of a co-host, while South Africa is back on soccer’s biggest stage after years away. Since it’s the first matchday, both teams start with zero points—but a strong start carries significant weight. Under the new format, not only the group winners and runners-up advance, but also the eight best third-place finishers, which is why even the first result can decisively shape the group standings.

For night owls and early risers, the second Group A match follows: South Korea vs. the Czech Republic. Kickoff is at 4:00 a.m. German time on Friday morning. This match is also a key start to the tournament—two teams in the same group as Mexico looking to make an early statement in the race for the Round of 16 with a win. So anyone who stays up after the opening spectacle will get the full Group A experience in a single matchday.

Today’s World Cup schedule in Germany, Thursday, June 11

• 9:00 p.m. (CEST) — Mexico vs. South Africa (opening match). Round: Matchday 1 of the group stage (Group A). TV/Stream: ZDF (free-to-air TV) and MagentaTV. Stadium: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City).
• 4:00 a.m. (CEST, Fri., June 12) — South Korea vs. Czech Republic. Round: Matchday 1 of the group stage (Group A). Stream: MagentaTV. Stadium: Estadio Akron (Guadalajara).

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