FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates: Mexico against South Africa is first match as opening ceremony begins
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Follow the latest news from the World Cup as the opening ceremony unfolds in Mexico City and gameplay begins with Mexico vs. South Africa and South Korea vs. Czechia.
Photos: Elaborately dressed performers take to the pitch to kick off World Cup
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Mexico will play South Africa in the opening match of the World Cup in Mexico City.
After major renovations, Mexico City’s legendary stadium Estadio Azteca is hosting the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. NBC News’ George Solis has a closer look at this soccer icon.
Here's how to advance out of the group stage
Today marks the largest FIFA World Cup to ever be put on, with 48 teams playing in the group stage and only 32 advancing to the knockout rounds.
The top two teams in each of the 12 groups will automatically advance to the round of 32. That leaves eight open slots that will be filled by the teams that have accumulated the most points.
It's 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and no points for a loss. Goal differentials will also help determine the group rankings.
Ties will be broken by the number of goals scored, the amount of cards a team has accumulated, and if all else fails, a team's position in the FIFA world rankings.
Mexico hoping for breakout performance from teen sensation
At the 1958 World Cup, a 17-year-old played his way onto the field for Brazil and spurred them to win the whole tournament, almost single-handedly. He scored in a 1-0 quarterfinal win over Wales, a hat trick in a semifinal win over France, and two more goals in the final against Sweden, the host country. His talent was undeniable. His name was Pelé.
Over the course of Pelé’s career, Brazil won two more World Cups, in 1962 and 1970, cementing his status as the greatest of all time. The lesson there was: If a player is talented enough, age is no issue, and the talent might reveal itself at a precocious age.
Mexico is hoping to receive a similar spark this summer from its own 17-year-old phenom, the midfielder Gilberto Mora.
Mexico's midfielder Gilberto Mora vies for the ball with Australia's defender Aziz Behich during a friendly match May 30. Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images
As a young boy, Mora began training with Tijuana, a club team in Liga MX. When he was just 15 years old, he made his senior circuit debut and became the youngest goal-scorer in Liga MX history. At 16, he helped Mexico win the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup and became the youngest player to claim an international trophy. He beat out Pelé for that milestone.
Mora is listed at only 5-foot-6, 137 pounds. But he’s proven to be a skilled attacking midfielder, capable of outgunning players twice his age.
“I want to win trophies with Xolos,” Mora told ESPN last year, referring to his club team, “and obviously with the national team, the World Cup, and also go to Europe.”
His pursuit of those goals continues this summer, when Mora can become only the eighth 17-year-old to play in the World Cup, and the youngest ever for Mexico.
Argentina tops world rankings hours before tournament begins
The reigning World Cup champions have topped FIFA's team rankings, edging out France, just hours before this summer's tournament is set to kick off.
Argentina took first place in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Rankings following its wins against Iceland and Honduras in the team's recent warm-up friendlies. The former first place team, France, was knocked to third after losing to the Ivory Coast last week.
Spain remains solidly second on the international rankings.
And in a historic bump, Morocco reaches seventh place on the list. It's the highest placement for the Atlas Lions since the ranking system was created more than 30 years ago.
The rankings may seem meaningless going into the World Cup, but they serve as a tie-breaker in the group stage and first knockout round.
Lionel Messi of Argentina runs during a friendly match against Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, Ala. Omar Vega / Getty Images
Ranking the World Cup groups — Who’s in the toughest group? Who got the easiest draw?
Sombreros and luchador masks: Mexico fans decked out for first game
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Andrea Nieves Olivares, an 8-year-old Mexico fan, holds up her chicken, also a fan, outside the stadium. Hannah McKay / REUTERS
Mexico supporters arrived at the stadium today in Mexico City draped in the national flag ahead of the opening World Cup match against South Africa.
NBC News’ Jesse Kirsch takes a look at the major players who many expect could dominate the tournament.
Make your picks!
One hundred and four matches. Forty-eight nations. One champion. Map out the road to the final and pick your favorite team to take home the world’s biggest prize.
Mexico's players to watch
In the last World Cup, Mexico only managed to score two goals as it was bounced after group play. This time around, the team is hoping it can bring more firepower to the party as a tournament host.
Highlighting the list is Luis Chávez, who scored a goal in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and peppered goalkeepers with 10 shots. He also scored a goal in the team’s final friendly against Serbia, giving himself some solid momentum heading into the tournament.
Luis Chávez of Mexico runs with the ball during a friendly match against Serbia on June 4. Manuel Velasquez / Getty Images
Chicago Fire fans will recognize Brian Gutiérrez, who scored nine goals for the squad last season. He has picked up a pair of goals in friendly matches this year for Mexico, and he’ll be looked at as a bona fide scoring threat in this year’s event.
Johan Vásquez also has a pair of goals for Mexico in friendly matches this year.
In goal, the team has brought back veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who allowed just three goals in the three games in Qatar. This will be his fifth World Cup as a member of the Mexico squad, appearing in 11 matches during his tenure.
