Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterNorth America will play host to 48 countries from around the globe as Canada, Mexico and the United States welcome the world onto their doorstep for the World Cup.For better or worse, this year's edition is the largest ever to be held, with an additional 16 teams joining the expanded tournament.That means the total number of matches will rise from 64 to a whopping 104...and it all kicks off with Mexico vs South Africa.Latest Videos FromWatch full video here: When the opening game of the 2026 World Cup kicks offThat Group A clash at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will open the tournament on Thursday, June 11 at 1pm local time - which for viewers in the UK, means an 8pm kick-off.Mexico will host the only other game of the opening day, with South Korea taking on the Czech Republic at 6pm local time (3am UK time) at Estadio Akron in Zapopan. You may like When does the World Cup start? World Cup 2026 calendar: Pacific Daylight Time World Cup 2026 calendar: Central Daylight Time We then go all the way north to Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the first game of the second day of the World Cup.The co-hosts will be on home turf at BMO field as they take on Italy-vanquishing Bosnia and Herzegovina in group B on Friday, June 12.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.That game is also set to kick off at 3pm local time, but the time zone difference means that is still 8pm UK time.The third and final co-host, the United States of America, finally get their turn later that day in Group D as they take on Paraguay in a 6pm kick-off local time. That's 2am, for UK viewers.The whole tournament will come to a close at Metlife Stadium in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area on Sunday, July 19.Kick-off for the final is slated for 3pm local time, or 8pm in the UK.Steven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
