Mexico and South Africa to Open 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will open tonight with a match pitting Mexico against South Africa. The contest is set to take place at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. This game signals the beginning of the expanded tournament that will see 48 teams in action. The hosting duties are shared among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with games played at 16 different stadiums.

Scheduled for an 11:30 p.m. start in Kabul time, the opening match is anticipated to draw large crowds. More than 80,000 fans are expected to be in attendance at the stadium. The event also revives memories of the teams' earlier clash, which ended in a 1-1 draw during the 2010 World Cup's opening fixture.

This year's competition stands out as the first to feature such a high number of teams. The format allows for broader participation from nations around the world. In Afghanistan, viewers will have the opportunity to follow the match through live coverage on Ariana TV and radio. The tournament promises to be a significant sporting event across the three North American host nations.