The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today at 1 p.m.
local time in Mexico City, pitting co-hosts Mexico against South Africa in
Group A of the expanded 48-team tournament across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Mexico, ranked 14th with stars like Santiago
Giménez and Edson Álvarez, enters as heavy favorites at their iconic venue that
opened the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.
South Africa, back since hosting in 2010, topped CAF qualifying and brings grit through Percy Tau and Lyle Foster under coach Hugo Broos, aiming to frustrate the hosts with counters.