Football fans in South Africa face a weekend of late-night and early-morning viewing as the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with seven matches across venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The tournament opened on Thursday with heartbreak for Bafana Bafana, who fell 2-0 to Mexico in a fiery encounter at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City. Julián Quiñones gave the hosts an early lead in the ninth minute before Raúl Jiménez doubled the advantage in the 67th minute.

The match descended into chaos with three red cards. South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole saw red in the 49th minute, followed by teammate Themba Zwane in the 84th minute. Mexico’s captain César Montes was also dismissed in stoppage time, but the damage had been done. The defeat marked Mexico’s first-ever opening match victory at a World Cup.

Later on Thursday evening, Korea Republic mounted an impressive comeback to defeat Czechia 2-1 at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico. Czechia captain Ladislav Krejci headed his side into the lead in the 59th minute, but Hwang In-beom equalised eight minutes later. Substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu, assisted by Hwang, completed the turnaround in the 80th minute to give Korea Republic their first opening match win in 16 years.

Saturday 13 June

Saturday’s fixtures start at 03:00 (SA time) when USA take on Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium in a Group D match.

And the day ends with Qatar meeting Switzerland at 21:00 (SA time).

Sunday 14 June

Sundays action starts at midnight (SA time) when Brazil face Morocco at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough in Group C action. The clash between two footballing nations promises to be one of the weekend’s highlights.

Haiti meet Scotland in Boston at 03:00 (SA time) in another Group C fixture,

Australia takes on Turkey at BC Place in Vancouver, kicking off at 06:00 (SA time) on Sunday morning in a Group D encounter.

Germany face Curaçao in Houston in a Group E match at 19:00 (SA time). The four-time champions are expected to dominate against the Caribbean island nation making their World Cup debut.

Netherlands meet Japan in Dallas at 22:00 (SA time) in what promises to be a tactical Group F battle,

South Africa’s next match comes on 16 June at 18:00 (SA time) when they face Czechia Republic at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.

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