As co-host, Mexico carries enormous expectations, and El Tri got the honor of opening the entire 2026 World Cup. Mexico sits in Group A with South Africa, Korea Republic and Czechia. Here is the schedule, the host cities, and how to follow the green machine all summer.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Group | A |
| Opponents | South Africa, Korea Republic, Czechia |
| Opener | Won 2–0 vs South Africa |
| Host cities | Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey |
| Opening venue | Estadio Azteca |
Table of Contents
Mexico’s Group A schedule
Mexico opened the tournament in style with a 2–0 win over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca. Goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez sealed it in front of a roaring home crowd. El Tri then face Korea Republic and Czechia to finish the group. Full dates are on the FIFA fixtures page.
Mexico’s host cities
Mexico hosts matches in three cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. The Estadio Azteca is the crown jewel and the first stadium to host three different World Cups. We mapped the soccer-and-screen crossover in our México 86 guide and the host-city overview in our locations guide.
Can Mexico make a deep run?
Home advantage is huge, and the Azteca’s altitude and atmosphere are a genuine edge. Mexico has historically reached the Round of 16 regularly; the dream is finally breaking past it on home soil. The expanded bracket gives El Tri more margin than ever. See the path in our bracket guide.
How to watch Mexico
In the US, Mexico’s matches air on Telemundo and Universo in Spanish and on FOX/FS1 in English. Free streaming is available on Tubi, so you can follow El Tri without a subscription. Check kickoff times in our schedule guide.
Mexico timeline
June 11 — Mexico beats South Africa 2–0 (opener).
Mid-June — Mexico vs Korea Republic.
Late June — Mexico vs Czechia to close Group A.
June 28+ — Knockouts, if El Tri advance.
El Tri’s World Cup history
Mexico is a World Cup regular, having qualified for nearly every tournament in the modern era.
Its best runs came at home in 1970 and 1986, both times reaching the quarterfinals.
Breaking past the Round of 16 has become the great national quest, and home soil is the perfect stage to try.
Why the Azteca is special
The Estadio Azteca is hallowed ground, the only stadium to host three different World Cups.
Its altitude and electric atmosphere make it one of the toughest places in the world to play.
We explored its on-screen fame too; see our México 86 guide.
Mexico’s style and home support
El Tri plays with flair and pace, and the green wave of support travels everywhere.
At a home World Cup, that backing becomes a genuine twelfth man, especially in the closing minutes.
Follow every match via our schedule guide and the full hub.
What a deep run would mean for Mexico
Mexico has reached the World Cup knockout stage many times, but rarely broken past the Round of 16. Doing it on home soil, in front of a delirious Azteca crowd, would be one of the great moments in the nation’s sporting history. The pieces are in place: home advantage, altitude, and a fan base that turns every match into a cauldron.
The expanded bracket also offers a kinder path than past tournaments. If El Tri can navigate Group A with momentum, the dream of a historic run is genuinely alive.
Related World Cup 2026 guides
Keep exploring our World Cup 2026 coverage:
Frequently asked questions
What group is Mexico in at the World Cup 2026?
Group A, with South Africa, Korea Republic and Czechia.
Did Mexico win its opening match?
Yes, Mexico beat South Africa 2–0 at the Estadio Azteca on June 11.
What cities in Mexico are hosting the World Cup?
Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
How can I watch Mexico’s games in the USA?
On Telemundo and Universo in Spanish, FOX/FS1 in English, and free on Tubi.
Where did Mexico open the World Cup 2026?
At the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
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