The 2026 World Cup kicks off on 11 June with hosts Mexico, before Canada and the United States open on 12 June. Below are the first marquee fixtures, with each team's form and signature numbers from the ScanGoal database.
Mexico vs South Africa — opening match (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 11 June)
The tournament opens at the historic Estadio Azteca. Mexico carry the host's burden and a raucous crowd; South Africa are the group's outsiders but qualified with belief.
Head-to-head
These sides have barely met — there are no recent head-to-head matches in our database, so the form and style below tell the story.
Mexico last 12 months · 19 matches| Goals for/game | 1.4 |
| Goals against/game | 0.9 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 37% |
| Both teams score | 42% |
| Corners/game | 4.4 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.9 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.7 |
- tilts under: under 2.5 goals in 63% of games
South Africa last 12 months · 16 matches| Goals for/game | 1.4 |
| Goals against/game | 0.9 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 56% |
| Both teams score | 50% |
| Corners/game | 5.1 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.9 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.9 |
- a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 56% of games
Angle: opening games are famously cagey and Mexico will be wary — the cards above point to a controlled, goal-light start, so the first-half under is the textbook lean.
South Korea vs Czechia (Guadalajara, 11 June)
Arguably Group A's real decider for second place, served up on day one. South Korea's attacking numbers are among the best in the group; Czechia defend in a disciplined block.
Head-to-head
The last 1 meeting between them in our database:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 05.06.16 | Czech Republic 1:2 South Korea |
South Korea last 12 months · 14 matches| Goals for/game | 1.7 |
| Goals against/game | 0.9 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 43% |
| Both teams score | 7% |
| Corners/game | 6.1 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.2 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.4 |
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 7%
- works the flanks — 6.1 corners per game
Czech Republic last 12 months · 11 matches| Goals for/game | 1.8 |
| Goals against/game | 1.5 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 64% |
| Both teams score | 73% |
| Corners/game | 5.2 |
| Yellow cards/game | 0.8 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.5 |
- a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 64% of games
- goals at both ends — BTTS in 73% of games
- disciplined — only 0.8 yellows per game
Angle: South Korea's goal output against a compact Czech side — the team-total and over markets for the Koreans are where the value sits.
Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (BMO Field, Toronto, 12 June)
Co-hosts Canada begin at home against a Bosnia side built on experience. The home crowd makes Canada slight favourites to start with a win.
Head-to-head
These sides have barely met — there are no recent head-to-head matches in our database, so the form and style below tell the story.
Canada last 12 months · 13 matches| Goals for/game | 1.7 |
| Goals against/game | 0.5 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 31% |
| Both teams score | 31% |
| Corners/game | 5.7 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.9 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.5 |
- tilts under: under 2.5 goals in 69% of games
- a tight defence — just 0.5 conceded per game
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 31%
Bosnia & Herzegovina last 12 months · 10 matches| Goals for/game | 2.0 |
| Goals against/game | 0.9 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 50% |
| Both teams score | 70% |
| Corners/game | 4.4 |
| Yellow cards/game | 2.4 |
| Shots on target/game | 5.4 |
- a strong attack — 2.0 goals per game
- goals at both ends — BTTS in 70% of games
- a card-prone side — 2.4 yellows per game
Angle: host-nation openers historically tilt to the hosts; Canada to start positively is the lean.
Full group breakdowns: Group A, Group B. Daily value: Value Picks. Analysis only. 18+, gamble responsibly.