The 2026 World Cup kicks off today at Estadio Azteca: hosts Mexico face South Africa in the Group A opener, a rematch of the memorable 2010 curtain-raiser. Here is the full country-by-country streaming guide for fans across Mexico, the U.S., Spain and Latin America, with kick-off times, channels and official links — plus the match preview and the latest news.
How and Where to Watch Mexico vs South Africa (Streaming Guide)
Quick links to one official platform per region:
| Match | Mexico vs South Africa |
| Competition | 2026 World Cup — Group A (opening match) |
| Date | Thursday, June 11, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 1:00 PM Mexico City / 3:00 PM ET (U.S.) |
| Stadium | Estadio Azteca (Estadio Ciudad de México), Mexico City |
| Opening ceremony | About 90 minutes before kick-off |
Kick-off time by country
| Country / city | Start time |
| Mexico (Mexico City) | 1:00 PM |
| U.S. (ET — Miami/New York) | 3:00 PM |
| U.S. (PT — Los Angeles) | 12:00 PM (noon) |
| Colombia / Peru / Ecuador | 2:00 PM |
| Chile | 3:00 PM |
| Argentina / Uruguay | 4:00 PM |
| Spain (Madrid) | 9:00 PM |
Mexico (host nation)
- Free-to-air TV: Las Estrellas, Canal 5 and TUDN (TelevisaUnivision); Azteca 7 and Azteca Uno (TV Azteca).
- Paid streaming: ViX — with the “Pase Mundial 2026” pass it streams all 104 matches.
- Free streaming: the Azteca Deportes app offers 32 matches at no cost, including the opener, all of Mexico’s games and the knockout stages.
United States (Spanish-language)
- Spanish-language TV: Telemundo (92 matches) and Universo (12); the opener airs on Telemundo.
- Streaming: Peacock (all 104 matches, Premium subscription) and the Telemundo Deportes app. Also via fuboTV.
- Free: the opening match can be watched at no cost on Tubi (with FOX’s English-language feed).
Spain
- Free (over the air): RTVE — La 1, Teledeporte and RTVE Play show a selection of matches (including Spain’s games, the semi-finals and the final). Check RTVE Play to confirm whether the opener is in the free package.
- Paid (full tournament): DAZN carries all 104 matches, also available through Movistar Plus+, Orange and Vodafone.
South America & Latin America
Regional options (covering much of the region): Disney+ Premium (with the ESPN feed), DGO and DSports (DIRECTV), and Paramount+.
- Argentina: TV Pública, Telefe and TyC Sports (+ DSports/DGO).
- Colombia: Caracol TV, Canal RCN and Caracol Play (+ DSports/DGO).
- Chile: Chilevisión (free-to-air) + ESPN/Disney+, DSports/DGO.
- Peru: América TV (Canal 4) and América tvGO (+ DSports/DGO).
- Ecuador: Teleamazonas (+ DSports/DGO).
- Uruguay: Canal 5 + DSports/DGO.
- Paraguay: Telefuturo, Tigo Sports (+ DSports).
- Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama): Tigo Sports, plus Teletica, Televicentro, TCS, RPC and TVMAX depending on the country.
Is there one platform for all Spanish-speaking countries?
There is no single worldwide service, because rights are split by territory. Even so, these are the options that cover the most Spanish-speaking countries from one platform:
- Disney+ Premium (with ESPN): the option that spans the most countries across Spanish-speaking Latin America (much of South America).
- DGO / DSports (DIRECTV): available across much of South America.
- ViX (Pase Mundial 2026): covers the United States and Mexico.
- Paramount+: available in several countries in the region.
- Spain is separate: RTVE (free, selection) and DAZN (full tournament).
Tip: always use official, legal platforms. Avoid pirate links such as “Fútbol Libre,” which are typically illegal and low quality.
Mexico vs South Africa: Preview & Latest News
A rematch 16 years in the making
This clash is a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener, when South Africa were the hosts and the two sides drew 1-1 thanks to goals from Siphiwe Tshabalala and Rafael Márquez. There is a striking coincidence: Javier Aguirre, now Mexico’s manager, also led the team in that 2010 curtain-raiser, and he has called it “incredible” to draw South Africa again to open a World Cup. With this match, Estadio Azteca becomes the first venue in history to host games at three different World Cups (1970, 1986 and 2026), with a capacity of around 80,824 and a sold-out crowd.
How Mexico arrive
El Tri arrive in strong form: six wins and two draws in eight friendlies in 2026, closing with an emphatic 5-1 win over Serbia. Mexico are also unbeaten in their last seven World Cup openers (five wins, two draws). Edson Álvarez will captain the side in what would be his 99th cap, while veteran striker Raúl Jiménez leads the attack: with 45 goals, he is just one short of matching Jared Borgetti as the country’s second-highest scorer of all time. Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa, 40, waits on the bench, and Santiago Giménez is an injury doubt.
Mexico probable XI (4-3-3): Rangel; Gallardo, Vásquez, Montes, I. Reyes; Lira, Fidalgo, B. Gutiérrez; Quiñones, Jiménez, Alvarado.
How South Africa arrive
Bafana Bafana, managed by Hugo Broos, return to a World Cup for the first time since 2010 and arrive as clear underdogs with an eye on causing an upset. Their main attacking reference is forward Lyle Foster, with captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams leading from the back. Broos’s chief concern is the fitness of left-back Aubrey Modiba, who came in carrying a knock after the CAF Champions League final. South Africa’s plan is to sit deep, hold their shape and strike on the counter.
South Africa probable XI: Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Mbatha, Sithole, Mokoena; Appollis, Foster, Moremi.
The opening ceremony
Before kick-off, the Azteca will host a major opening ceremony with a star-studded line-up: Shakira, J Balvin, Maná, Belinda, Los Ángeles Azules, Lila Downs and Tyla, among others. Singer Alejandro Fernández will perform Mexico’s national anthem. The festivities begin roughly 90 minutes before the match.
Prediction
Roared on by a packed Azteca and riding a strong run of form, Mexico are favorites and will be chasing a solid start in Group A. South Africa will pin their hopes on defensive organization and pace in transition. The pick: a narrow Mexico win, with Bafana Bafana making it uncomfortable until the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is Mexico vs South Africa?
1:00 PM in Mexico City / 3:00 PM ET, today, Thursday, June 11, 2026. The opening ceremony starts about 90 minutes earlier.
What channel is the match on in Mexico?
On free-to-air TV via Las Estrellas, Canal 5, TUDN, Azteca 7 and Azteca Uno; on streaming via ViX (paid) and the Azteca Deportes app (free).
How can I watch the World Cup for free?
In Mexico, via the Azteca Deportes app; in Spain, on RTVE (La 1 and RTVE Play); and in the United States, the opening match is available at no cost on Tubi.
Where can I watch it in the U.S. in Spanish?
On Telemundo and Universo, and via streaming on Peacock and the Telemundo Deportes app.
Is there a single platform for all of Latin America?
There is no single global service, but Disney+ Premium (with ESPN) and DGO/DSports are the options that cover the most countries in the region from one platform.
Times, channels and platforms are correct at the time of publishing and may vary by country. Always check the official rights-holder in your region.
