The Mexican National Team already knows the calendar with which it will open its way in the World Cup 2026a tournament that the country will co-organize together with the United States and Canada.
The draw held this Friday in Washington determined that El Tri will once again inaugurate a World Cup, repeating the historic match against South Africa in the 2010 tournament.
Mexico was placed in Group A along with South Africa, South Korea and the winner of the European playoff between Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic and Ireland and it will be the sixth time that the Mexicans play the opening match of a World Cup, a mark with which they surpass Brazil and Germany.
Opening match schedule
The opening duel is scheduled for June 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Azteca Stadium, where the team led by Javier Aguirre will seek to break a long streak without victories in opening matches. Until now Mexico has never won a World Cup debut: it lost in 1930, 1950 and 1958, while it tied in 1970 and 2010.
The reissue of Mexico vs South Africa inevitably awakens the memory of that 1-1 in Soweto fifteen years ago, when the hosts surprised with a vibrant start. Now the stage will be the Mexican capital and with the pressure and excitement of a country that once again welcomes the opening of the tournament.
Second match: trip to Guadalajara to face South Korea
For its second appearance, Mexico will move to the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara. The match is scheduled for June 18 at 8:00 p.m. and represents the opportunity to advance the classification in a group that looks even, especially due to the physical and disciplined style of the South Korean team.
This will be one of the matches that generates the most movement in the Guadalajara headquarters, since it is part of the deployment of three Mexican cities in the World Cup.
Closing of group stage
Mexico will close the group stage on June 24 at 8:00 p.m. at the Azteca Stadium, where it will face the winner of the Europe 4 Repechage. The definition between Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic and Ireland could become a highly demanding challenge, especially if the Europeans arrive at a competitive pace.
This third match will be decisive for El Tri’s aspirations in a tournament that will last until July 19, when the final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
This is how the Tri calendar looks in the 2026 World Cup
- Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium at 2:00 p.m.
- Mexico vs. South Korea on June 18 at Akron Stadium at 8:00 p.m.
- Mexico vs. winner of the European playoffs on June 24 at the Azteca Stadium at 8:00 p.m.
