Football World Cup Today: What You Should Know Before the Evening and Night Games

The 23rd FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, marking a significant expansion with 48 participating nations. Co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, the tournament promises an extensive schedule of 104 matches, culminating in the crowning of a new world champion on July 19. Opening the tournament is a Group A match between host nation Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. Mexico, currently ranked 14th by FIFA, holds a strong home advantage and has a rich World Cup history, participating for the 18th time and opening the tournament for a record sixth time. They are managed by Javier Aguirre. South Africa, ranked 60th, makes its return to the World Cup after missing the 2018 and 2022 editions, with most of its squad playing in the domestic league and having been eliminated in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16. Later that night, in Guadalajara, South Korea will face the Czech Republic in another Group A fixture. South Korea, ranked 25th, boasts a strong squad featuring stars like Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Kang-in Lee (Paris Saint-Germain). They have a history of strong performances, including a semi-final appearance in 2002 when they co-hosted. The Czech Republic, ranked 43rd, faces a tougher challenge. Their past glories, including two runner-up finishes as Czechoslovakia, are distant memories, and their "golden generation" has long since retired. Their opening match against a formidable South Korean side is expected to be difficult. Fans in Germany can follow the action through various broadcasters. Telekom's MagentaTV holds rights to all 104 matches, while public broadcasters ARD and ZDF will show 60 games live. Specifically, the Mexico vs. South Africa match will be broadcast on ZDF and MagentaTV, while South Korea vs. Czech Republic will be available on MagentaTV.