How to watch the first game of the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts Mexico face South Africa

FootballSports
11 Jun 2026 • 9:47 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

How to watch the first game of the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts Mexico face South Africa

  • The World Cup is finally due to get underway on Thursday when co-hosts Mexico face South Africa in Mexico City.
  • The game is set to kick-off at 8pm BST (3pm ET), and will be a repeat of the first match of the 2010 World Cup, which was held in South Africa.
  • The match will be broadcast on ITV 1 and ITV X in England, while Scottish viewers can catch the action on STV and STV Player.
  • For US viewers, the game will be available on FOX and Spanish-language broadcasts will be available on NBC-owned Telemundo.
  • Mexico failed to make it beyond the group stage in 2022, while South Africa will be playing in their first World Cup in 16 years.

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