Mexico’s Erik Lira and Belgium’s Jeremy Doku are pictured during a friendly soccer game between the Mexican national team and Belgian national soccer team Red Devils in Chicago, on Wednesday 01 April 2026, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. BELGA
NEW YORK – The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway Thursday with two Group A matches on the schedule.
What we know:
Thursday's matches mark the start of the expanded 48-team tournament, which will feature 104 matches.
Mexico vs. South Africa
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Group: Group A
Location: Guadalajara Stadium
How to watch
The opening match between Mexico and South Africa will air on FOX. Korea Republic vs. Czechia will air on FS1.
Team USA opens its World Cup schedule Friday, June 12, against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium. The match is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.
Team USA's final group stage match is Thursday, June 25, against Türkiye at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. That match is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
The 2026 World Cup is the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams.
The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Source: This article was written using information from FOX Sports and FIFA.
