Forty-eight teams. Three host countries. Sixteen furlongs. And it lasts 39 days. The 23rd edition of the Men’s World Cup is finally here, with the opening ceremony taking place today at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, ahead of co-host Mexico’s match against South Africa. When Shakira And Burna Boy After performing the official anthem “Dai Dai” during the ceremony, FIFA undoubtedly hopes that after a difficult preparation for the competition, the world can finally start talking about football.
World Cup Match PreviewMexico – one of three co-hosts along with America and Canada – will attempt to end their World Cup opening day curse when they take on South Africa in the tournament’s first match today at the newly renovated Azteca Stadium. It’s a repeat of the first match of the 2010 competition, in Johannesburg, which ended 1-1.
It was a relative success for a nation that has failed to win its opening match on several occasions. Coach Javier Aguirre said at a press conference on Wednesday: “We must break this trend. »
Mexican striker Raul Jimenez grabs the ball during a friendly match against Serbia in Toluca, Mexico, June 4, 2026. Mario Vázquez / AFP via Getty ImagesEl Tri enters tournament buoyed by string of warm-up wins and hopes for veteran striker Raúl Jiménez can help them to glory on their own soil. Fans will also pin their hopes on the midfielder Gilberto Moraat 17, the youngest player in this World Cup and a potential star.
Mexico has only reached the round of 16 twice, both times when it hosted the tournament, in 1970 and 1986. Four years ago, in Qatar, it did not advance from the group stage.
Aguirre will face a familiar opponent in the dugout: South Africa coach Hugo Broos was part of the Belgium team that lost 2-1 to an El Tri team with Aguirre in 1986. Broos led South Africa to their first World Cup in 16 years.
Son Heung-Min of South Korea controls the ball during a match against El Salvador June 3 in Provo, Utah. Alex Goodlett/Getty ImagesThe second match of the day will see the other two teams in Group A, South Korea and Czechia, face each other. South Korean star Son Heung-minwidely considered the best Asian player of recent times, is entering his fourth World Cup after a poor season with Los Angeles FC. South Korea should be wary of the threat from Czechia from set pieces. In qualifying, the two-time finalist (like Czechoslovakia, in 1934 and 1962) scored more goals from set pieces – including seven from headers – than any other European team.
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The World Cup is finally here! Three and a half years after Lionel Messi and Argentina lifted the trophy in Qatar, El Tri and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will kick off today at Mexico City’s legendary Estadio Azteca, followed by South Korea and Czechia.
Before the games begin, we’ll be treated to an opening ceremony performance from Shakira and Burna Boy, 32 years later Diana Ross committed one one of the most legendary missed penalties in World Cup history at Soldier Field in Chicago. We can only hope the Mexican musical extravaganza will be half as memorable.
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Additionally, Men in Blazers travels from host city to host city for Match Day Live! We take the stage with celebrity guests in front of thousands of fans just before some of the biggest games of this summer. Find your city here. Next stop: Los Angeles, where our own Roger Bennett and Rory Smith will be joined by actor Rob Mac, Larry Nance Jr. of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavs and former USMNT player Kyle Beckerman. Join us there tomorrow.
Player Profile As the 2026 World Cup approaches, we have 26 players to watch. Today’s entry is from Argentina Lionel Messi.
Messi is arguably the best player to ever step on a football pitch. He won the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, won 10 La Liga championships, four Champions League titles and scored 672 goals for Barcelona – the most ever for a single club. Internationally, he was instrumental in Argentina’s victory at the 2022 World Cup and leads the country with 116 career goals scored. In that final against France, Messi scored the opening goal from the penalty spot, then added another in extra time to propel Argentina to victory.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi during a friendly match against Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, Alabama.Omar Vega / Getty ImagesSimply put, the only thing that could stop Messi at the 2026 World Cup is time spent with his father. At 38 years old, he is still a top player but not exactly what he was in his early days.
Argentina, ranked No. 3 in the world by FIFA, needs Messi’s elite skills to remain among the best in the world. It adapts perfectly to Julien Alvarez and should work well with midfielders Enzo Fernández And Alexis MacAllister. Argentina is seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. With Messi’s playmaking ability and incredible goal-scoring prowess, he could help them do just that.
What we watchThe World Cup!
Come join us as we live our blog today’s opening matches.
All times are indicated in the East:
3:00 p.m.: Mexico vs. South Africa (Group A): June 11 at 3 p.m. ET on Fox, Telemundo, Peacock10:00 p.m.: South Korea vs. Czechia (Group A): June 11 at 10 p.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo, Peacock