High-stakes heated clashes between Brazil vs Morocco and England vs Croatia taking place during the first week of the 2026 World Cup

2026 FIFA World Cup will host a full series of group stage matches during its opening week. A total of 24 fixtures will be played between 12 - 18 June 2026, with numerous top seeded teams playing their Debut Tournament matches across United States of America, Canada and Mexico.

For the official opening match, host nation Mexico will face South Africa at the Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, kicking off at 02:00 WIB in the early hours of Friday.

This fixture carries strong nostalgic weight, as it is an exact repeat of the 2010 World Cup opening match where South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 in Johannesburg.

Following the opening game, the remaining two host nations will begin their campaigns on Saturday 13 June. From Group B, Canada will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium with a 02:00 WIB kickoff.

Meanwhile from Group C, the United States will face their first tournament test against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood at 08:00 WIB.

The most highly anticipated fixture of the first week however is the Group C clash between Brazil and Morocco. This match, held at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford on Sunday 14 June at 05:00 WIB, pits the five-time world champions against the breakout 2022 World Cup semi-finalists.

Brazil enters the tournament as one of the clear title favourites, while Morocco aim to prove their historic run in Qatar four years prior was not just a temporary upset.

This opening week will also mark historic World Cup debuts for two nations. On Monday 15 June, Curaçao will play their first ever World Cup fixture against European powerhouse Germany at Houston Stadium, kicking off at 00:00 WIB.

The other debutant nation, Cape Verde, will face 2024 European Champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain at Atlanta Stadium at 23:00 WIB.

Prior to that match, football supporters will also be treated to a compelling Group F fixture between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium, Arlington at 03:00 WIB.

Moving into Wednesday 17 June, the two 2022 World Cup finalists will begin their respective campaigns. Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will face Algeria from Group J at 08:00 WIB at Kansas City Stadium.

Before that match, 2022 tournament runners-up France will first take on reigning African champions Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium with a 02:00 WIB kickoff.

The final day of the opening week hosts two equally high-profile fixtures. Cristiano Ronaldo will captain Portugal against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday 18 June at 00:00 WIB at Houston Stadium.

Three hours later, another major fixture will see England meet Croatia at Dallas Stadium.

This meeting carries clear revenge undertones for the Three Lions, who still remember their 1-2 semi-final defeat against Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. 

2026 World Cup Opening Week Match Schedule | 12 - 18 June 2026

Friday, 12 June
02:00 WIB, Mexico vs South Africa (Group A)
09:00 WIB, South Korea vs Czech Republic (Group A)

Saturday, 13 June
02:00 WIB, Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B)
08:00 WIB, United States vs Paraguay (Group D)

Sunday, 14 June
02:00 WIB, Qatar vs Switzerland (Group B)
05:00 WIB, Brazil vs Morocco (Group C)
08:00 WIB, Haiti vs Scotland (Group C)
11:00 WIB, Australia vs Turkey (Group D)

Monday, 15 June
00:00 WIB, Germany vs Curaçao (Group E)
03:00 WIB, Netherlands vs Japan (Group F)
06:00 WIB, Ivory Coast vs Ecuador (Group E)
09:00 WIB, Sweden vs Tunisia (Group F)
23:00 WIB, Spain vs Cape Verde (Group H)

Tuesday, 16 June
02:00 WIB, Belgium vs Egypt (Group G)
05:00 WIB, Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (Group H)
08:00 WIB, Iran vs New Zealand (Group G)

Wednesday, 17 June
02:00 WIB, France vs Senegal (Group I)
05:00 WIB, Iraq vs Norway (Group I)
08:00 WIB, Argentina vs Algeria (Group J)
11:00 WIB, Austria vs Jordan (Group J)

Thursday, 18 June
00:00 WIB, Portugal vs Democratic Republic of the Congo (Group K)
03:00 WIB, England vs Croatia (Group L)
06:00 WIB, Ghana vs Panama (Group L)
09:00 WIB, Uzbekistan vs Colombia (Group K)