FIFA World Cup 2026 opens across the USA, Canada and Mexico with opening matches and fan events
The men’s FIFA World Cup 2026 began on 11 June with Mexico beating South Africa 2‑0 in the Azteca Stadium. The match set a new record with three red cards – the first time a World Cup opener has seen that many dismissals. Host nations Canada and the United States started their group games the following day, Canada against Bosnia‑Herzegovina in Toronto and the USA versus Paraguay in Los Angeles. The tournament runs until 19 July, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches in 16 cities across the three host countries.
German broadcasters highlighted that free‑to‑air TV will show all German matches and key knockout games, while the pay‑TV service MagentaTV carries the full schedule. Apps, printable PDFs and daily shows have been promoted to help fans keep track of fixtures. Heat warnings have been issued for venues where temperatures may reach 40 °C, with additional cooling breaks planned. Separate reports noted visa restrictions affecting sex‑workers wishing to attend, and described how fans in Gaza and other regions are watching the games in improvised public‑viewing settings. Novel fan moments, such as ducks in Mexican jerseys and red‑card controversy, illustrate the wide cultural reach of the event.