Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMexico will play in the opening match of the World Cup (Getty)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.In fullWorld Cup 2026 TV schedule: How to watch every game on BBC and ITV in the UKThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
How to watch the first game of the World Cup as co-hosts Mexico face South Africa
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMexico will play in the opening match of the World Cup (Getty)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.In fullWorld Cup 2026 TV schedule: How to watch every game on BBC and ITV in the UKThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
