Mexico, South Africa and Son Heung-min: What’s on today at the 2026 World Cup and how to watch | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup kicks off tonight as co-hosts Mexico get the tournament underway against South Africa in the famous Estadio Azteca.

The Azteca is the most frequently used stadium in World Cup history and it was the stage for some of football’s most famous moments, including Pele’s crowning triumph in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s pinnacle with Argentina in 1986.

Mexico hope to create more history in the capital city as they kick off the 2026 edition, which finally gets going after months of build-up and plenty of controversy.

Here’s what’s coming up at the World Cup tonight, on Thursday 11 June

Group A: Mexico v South Africa – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (8pm in UK, 1pm local)

Watch on ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player

Coach Javier Aguirre drew on memories ​of Mexico's last home World Cup on Wednesday as he prepared to lead the hosts into the tournament opener against South Africa, four decades after taking the field as a player at the Estadio ⁠Azteca.

Mexico launch the World Cup on Thursday carrying the expectations of a football-mad nation, but Aguirre said no experience in his 50 years in the game compared with the emotions of a World Cup on home soil.

"I have not had a greater emotion ⁠in 50 years in football than a ​World ⁠Cup at home," Aguirre told reporters on the eve of the Group A clash. "It is something unforgettable."

Aguirre was part of Mexico's squad at ⁠the 1986 World Cup and played in the opening match against Belgium, also ​at ⁠the Azteca, before later guiding ‌the team at the 2002 and 2010 tournaments.

Now in his third spell as coach, the 67-year-old said he had tried to pass on the confidence he ‌felt as a player to a squad preparing ‌to experience a home World Cup for the first time.

"I remember the confidence with which we went out to face Belgium," he said. "I want to transmit to the players that it can ⁠be a great day for us, that it can be a celebration that will be remembered for decades."

open image in gallery

Mexico players in training ahead of their opening game (Reuters)

South Africa coach Hugo Broos ​said his side are prepared to face Mexico's quality and home-crowd advantage, insisting they are ready to fight for every ball against the group's "strongest team".

"They play ⁠good football," Broos told reporters on Wednesday. "They have very good players, players who can decide a match. And playing in front of 85,000 people gives them a boost."

Broos said South Africa had done detailed work on Mexico and would ⁠not be overawed by the occasion, ​adding ⁠his players had also adapted to the city's altitude after arriving early.

"Because of the altitude, we had to be here ⁠a little bit sooner," he said. "We had 10 days, and I ​think ⁠10 days is sufficient. From ‌that side, I think we are ready."

South Korea captain Son Heung-min enters his fourth World Cup feeling like a "young boy again" and expecting some extra support from the Mexican fans.

Son, who will debut with South Korea at this year's tournament against the Czech Republic in a Group A match in Guadalajara on Thursday, has been playing in Los Angeles in Major League Soccer. In nearby Mexico, he has been called "Sonaldo," a reference that some say is to Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo and others to former Brazil striker Ronaldo.

"I'm in LA now and there are a lot of Mexicans there," he said on Wednesday. "I can feel their passion and love for soccer, and they support me a lot. I'm very thankful and grateful."

He said he is not comfortable enough to take on the "Sonaldo" nickname, though, at least "not yet."

open image in gallery

Son Heung-min will captain South Korea at the World Cup (Reuters)

The 33-year-old Son has been playing with South Korea's national team since 2010 and made his World Cup debut in 2014 in the tournament in Brazil. He also played in 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar.

"Whether it's the first or fourth World Cup, I feel like a young boy again," Son said. "It's my dream stage. I'm happy to be back on a World Cup pitch, it's what I dreamed of from a very young age."

He dismissed reports that this might be his final World Cup.

"I never said that this would be my last World Cup," he said. "How I do and perform is the most important thing."

Group B: Canada v Bosnia & Herzegovina – BMO Field, Toronto (8pm in UK, 3pm local)