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Football World Cup Kicks Off: Mexico vs. South Africa in Mexico City

From Der Standard · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today in Mexico City with the opening match between co-host Mexico and South Africa.
  • Over 80,000 fans are expected to attend the game at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
  • This year's tournament features an expanded format with 48 teams, and Austria is participating for the first time since 1998.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins today, with the opening ceremony and the first match taking place in the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Co-host nation Mexico will face South Africa in a highly anticipated game, expected to draw a crowd of over 80,000 passionate fans.

The tournament, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marks a significant expansion in its format. For the first time, 48 national teams will compete for the coveted trophy, promising a more diverse and extensive competition.

Among the participating nations, Austria makes a notable return to the World Cup stage after a long absence, having last qualified in 1998. The expanded tournament structure ensures more opportunities for nations worldwide to compete at the highest level of international football.

The opening match between Mexico and South Africa is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 PM local time (21:00 MESZ). Following this, the second match of Group A will feature Czech Republic against South Korea in Guadalajara on Friday.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Der Standard in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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