The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/">2026 World Cup</a> kicks off today, Thursday, June 11, with host nation Mexico facing South Africa in what is a rematch of a previous World Cup opening game. With fans already making their way to the stadium, expectations are sky-high for the attendance at one of soccer’s most storied venues.



The iconic Estadio Azteca underwent a major renovation that began in May 2024 and has since been officially renamed Estadio Banorte. For the duration of the World Cup, however, FIFA is using the venue’s official registered name, and the governing body lists the stadium’s tournament capacity at 80,824 spectators.



While tickets for some World Cup matches remain available, including the Group A contest between South Korea and Czech Republic, the opening match between Mexico and South Africa is completely sold out. The stadium’s total capacity of approximately 87,000 seats means the remaining spots are reserved for media and commercial partners. For fans still looking to attend, resale prices for the opener range anywhere from $2,800 to $17,000, a dramatic markup from FIFA’s official pricing.



South African Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie spoke to the level of anticipation on his country’s side. “8,000 fans in the stadium for the opening match, lots of vuvuzelas, and I think 50,000 more are excited to travel,” he told Diario AS.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/11122229/estadio-azteca-world-cup-1920x1080.webp" alt="Fans arrive before the FIFA World Cup 2026 inauguration game between Mexico and South Africa." class="wp-image-651991"><figcaption>Fans arrive before the FIFA World Cup 2026 inauguration game between Mexico and South Africa.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>A special venue for a special occasion</h2>



The Estadio Azteca has been the backdrop for some of the most iconic moments in soccer history, from the legendary 1970 “Game of the Century” between Italy and West Germany to Diego Maradona’s unforgettable performance against England in 1986. Now it will host a World Cup opening game for the third time, the most of any stadium in history.


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The Mexico vs. South Africa matchup also carries its own distinct footnote in the record books. It will be the first time in World Cup history that two nations have faced each other in an opening game twice, the two sides having met in the very first match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a contest that ended 1-1. Sixteen years on, they meet again to kick off a new chapter.



<h2>Other games scheduled at the Azteca</h2>



Beyond Thursday’s opener, the Estadio Azteca is set to host several additional matches during the 2026 World Cup:



<ul><li>Wednesday, June 17th: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia (Game 24)</li><li>Wednesday, June 24th: Czech Republic vs. Mexico (Game 53)</li><li>Tuesday, June 30th: 1º Group A vs. 3º Group C/E/F/H/I (Game 79 – Round of 16)</li><li>Sunday, July 5th: Winner Game 79 vs. Winner Game 80 (Game 80 – Round of 16)</li></ul>

Estadio Azteca capacity: How many fans will attend Mexico vs South Africa 2026 World Cup opener?

Estadio Azteca capacity: How many fans will attend Mexico vs South Africa 2026 World Cup opener? - World Soccer Talk

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The countdown to the most ambitious tournament in soccer history has begun, and with the&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup">2026 World Cup</a>&nbsp;set to unfold across North America, global anticipation is rising by the minute. Yet for all the headlines surrounding format changes, expanded groups, and a three-nation hosting blueprint, the world’s most fundamental question remained unanswered—until now. The draw has finally revealed the identity of the first nation to kick the ball on opening night, but the full picture of&nbsp;who&nbsp;begins the tournament and&nbsp;where&nbsp;that first whistle will blow is a mystery we will not uncover until later in the story.



What we already know is that the biggest World Cup ever staged—featuring 48 teams across the United States, Mexico, and Canada—will begin with a fixture loaded with symbolism, pressure, history, and spectacle. The opening match always carries emotional weight, but in 2026, the spotlight is nearly overwhelming.



The 2026 edition marks a dramatic leap forward for international soccer. The competition returns to North America for the first time since 1994, but the landscape has evolved beyond recognition. The&nbsp;United States,&nbsp;Mexico, and&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;each take on hosting responsibilities, forming the largest geographical footprint ever attempted by FIFA. With 104 matches, expanded groups, and unprecedented infrastructure, this World Cup is designed to be a monumental milestone in the sport’s history.



The opening match naturally becomes the narrative spark that lights the entire tournament. Tradition dictates that a host nation begins the action, setting the tone for the weeks to come. That expectation remains intact—but the match chosen for 2026 carries additional meaning rooted deeply in World Cup legacy.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/10/05125128/World-Cup-trophy-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="World Cup trophy" class="wp-image-595136" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>World Cup trophy</figcaption></figure>


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2026-fifa-world-cup-final-draw-live-groups-pots-format-and-every-update-in-real-time/" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.worldsoccertalk.com%2Fwebp%2Ffull%2FWST_20251205_WST_608012_GettyImages-2250186867.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="With 42 of the 48 national teams already qualified, the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw occured today at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the groups are already complete, promising some key matchups.
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<h2>The reveal: The opening game and venue of the 2026 World Cup</h2>



The first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be: <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mexico">Mexico</a> vs. South Africa on June 11, 2026, at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The return of an opening match to this legendary stadium injects immediate historical resonance. The Azteca hosted two World Cup finals—in 1970 and 1986—and remains one of soccer’s cathedrals. Now, it officially becomes the site where the expanded 48-team era begins.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The opening match of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> 2026! 🌎🏟️<a href="https://twitter.com/miseleccionmx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@miseleccionmx</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/BafanaBafana?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BafanaBafana</a> <a href="https://t.co/bk6xQqoG1x">pic.twitter.com/bk6xQqoG1x</a>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1997072024955441412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote></div> 



For&nbsp;Mexico, opening the World Cup at home is both an honor and a burden. The nation’s soccer identity is inseparable from the Azteca’s atmosphere, and the eyes of millions will follow as El Tri steps onto the pitch, tasked not just with winning but with launching a tournament that belongs to three nations.



For&nbsp;South Africa, this fixture carries poetic gravity. They were the last nation outside Europe or the Americas to host a World Cup, welcoming the world in 2010. Their return to the opening-night spotlight is a symbolic passing of the torch. They understand intimately the magnitude of being first.

2026 FIFA World Cup draw: Which will be the opening game and where will it be played?

2026 FIFA World Cup draw: Which will be the opening game and where will it be played? - World Soccer Talk

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2026 FIFA World Cup draw: Which will be the opening game and where will it be played?