Summary

  • World Cup 2026: Mexico take on South Africa later in the first game of the tournament at 20:00 BST in Mexico City

  • The other game in Group A takes place at 03:00 on Friday between South Korea and Czech Republic in Guadalajara

  • Scotland are in Group C along with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti

  • England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama are in Group L

  • Each of the host nations will put on their own opening ceremony, with Canada and the USA having theirs over the weekend

  • Predict the outcomes for this round's selected fixtures before the first match kicks off with our World Cup predictor

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Live Reporting

Written by Bobbie Jackson, Tasnim Chowdhury, Flora Snelson, Alastair Telfer & Melissa Edwards

  1. Group C - who are the key players?

    Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

    Brazil forward Vinicius Junior helped Ancelotti win his fifth Champions League title in 2024 and has established himself as a star at Real Madrid. The next step is to do it for Brazil on the World Cup stage.

    At the 2022 World Cup, Vinicius was unable to showcase his best form.

    Paris St-Germain star Achraf Hakimi is Morocco's most important player. The flying full-back and captain is the reigning African footballer of the year and one of only three players in this squad to score more than 10 international goals.

    Brahim Diaz is another of those players to reach double figures for Morocco and like Hakimi, he was born in Spain. The Real Madrid forward finished as top scorer at this year's Africa Cup of Nations with five goals but missed a crucial penalty in the final versus Senegal.

    Wilson Isidor scored on his first international start in March. Sunderland's France-born striker switched allegiance to Haiti after being lobbied on social media by fans.

    Scotland's John McGinn led Aston Villa to a first European trophy in 44 years this season. Ten goals and seven assists are the highest number of goal involvements in his club career.

    Scott McTominay's overhead kick in the decisive qualifier against Denmark is now so famous it has made it onto a special edition Scottish banknote.

    Vinicius JuniorGetty Images

  2. So, who are the players that'll be looking to deliver glory again in that iconic yellow shirt?

    And which players in Group C are best placed to try and stop them?

  3. Which nations have most World Cup goals?

    In terms of goals scored by nations at the tournament, Brazil rank top, sitting five goals clear with 237.

    Germany are in second place with 232 World Cup goals, 80 ahead of third-placed Argentina who have netted 152 times in the competition.

    France (136), Italy (128), Spain (108) and England (104) are the only other nations with more than 100 goals.

    Netherlands (96), Uruguay (89) and Hungary (87) complete the top 10 highest goalscoring nations at the tournament.

    Graph showing all time world cup top-scoring nations

  4. Which nation has won the most World Cups?

    In the 96-year history of the men's Fifa World Cup, just eight nations have won the tournament. Of those eight, six have done it multiple times.

    Brazil hold the record for most World Cup wins with five, emerging victorious in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

    Germany and Italy are the next most successful nations with four trophies each. Three of Germany's wins were as West Germany, prior to the national teams of West and East Germany merging after the 1990 World Cup.

    Defending champions Argentina have three World Cups to their name, while France and Uruguay have two tournament wins each.

    England and Spain are the only winners that are one-time champions.

    Graphic showing World Cup wins by nation

  5. You're a long way from Brazil in Eastleigh, George.

    But it's not hard to see why you fancy getting behind the Selecao.

    The most dominant nation in this particular competition across more than one metric.

  6. Get Involved

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    Really excited to see my Brazilians boys play, Neymar last dance, Carlo Ancelotti at the wheel and Cunha surfing celebration. World Cup number six incoming !

    George, Eastleigh

  7. Group C

    Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

    Brazil

    World ranking - 6

    World Cup appearances - 23

    World Cup best performance - champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

    Morocco

    World ranking - 8

    World Cup appearances - 7

    World Cup best performance - semi-finals (2022)

    Haiti

    World ranking - 83

    World Cup appearances - 2

    World Cup best performance - group stage

    Scotland

    World ranking - 43

    World Cup appearances - 9

    World Cup best performance - group stage

    The Moroccan national team pose for a group photo ahead of the final match between Morocco and Senegal at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18 2026Getty Images

  8. Group C - who are the favourites?

    Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

    Brazil are two places above Morocco in the world rankings, and the opening group game between the sides on Saturday (23:00 BST) is likely to decide the group.

    Given Morocco's run to the semi-finals of the last World Cup, and with Brazil yet to reach any great heights under Carlo Ancelotti, many would say the African nation are in pole position.

    It is a tight call, and both sides, regardless of that result, will be looking to make a deep run into the knockout stages.

    The game between Haiti and Scotland on Sunday (02:00 BST) could be vital for one of those sides progressing in third place.

    lane is adorned with giant flex banners of Brazil football stars and national flags in Howrah, near Kolkata, on June 10, 2026, as fans prepare for the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026.Getty Images

  9. I'm here for the excitement, Sam. And I'm starting to feel it too.

    Later today, we'll be shining a light on Scotland, competing at their first World Cup finals since 1998.

    For now, let's have a look at who they'll be coming up against in Group C.

  10. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Scotland fan here, this World Cup feels different since we’re actually involved and not looking on from the shadows. Come on Scotland!

    Sam, Glasgow

  11. Who am I? Guess World Cup star No 4

    A person with their back turned and arms outstretched

    That's right, it's our brand new Who am I? game.

    The rules are simple. Each day there's a new footballer and the challenge is to guess who they are in as few attempts as possible.

    After each wrong guess you unlock a new clue. But, the quicker you guess the answer, the more points you get.

    Three is a good score, four or five points is exceptional.

    Click here to have a go and let us know how you get on!

    Today's player and clues are set by BBC Sport's Joe Rindl.

  12. Edin Dzeko, you say?

    Well, he arrives in the Americas having already sealed his status as a World Cup legend in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    With his team already eliminated in 2014, Dzeko opened the scoring in their final group game against Iran to help Bosnia and Herzegovina seal their first ever World Cup win.

    Do you think you know your World Cup legends? Then boy, do we have a mid-morning distraction for you.

  13. Group B - who are the key players?

    Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

    Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies is hoping to regain full fitness after a hamstring injury and could play a key role once he returns.

    Bosnia-Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko, 40, relishes the big occasion and has waited 12 years to grab another chance at competing at a World Cup.

    Qatar's Akram Afif, a winger with licence to roam, scored a hat-trick of penalties to win the 2023 Asian Cup.

    Cameroon-born striker Breel Embolo was Switzerland's top scorer in qualifying and has pedigree; he is one of only five players to have scored multiple goals in both the 2022 World Cup (netting against Cameroon and Serbia) and the 2024 Euros.

    Sunderland's Granit Xhaka will be taking part in his fourth successive World Cup at the age of 33.

    Edin DzekoGetty Images

  14. Group B - who are the favourites?

    Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

    Hosts Canada will fancy their chances of progressing as group winners.

    Switzerland, ranked 19th in the world, are the highest-ranked side in the group and the only one of the three teams to have progressed beyond this stage.

    It may not contain many big hitters, but this group should provide plenty of intriguing match-ups.

    Having stunned Italy in the play-offs to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014, Bosnia-Herzegovina will relish their underdog status.

    Granit Xhaka of Switzerland during the international friendly match between Switzerland and Jordan at Kybunpark on May 31, 2026 in St Gallen, Switzerland.Getty Images

  15. Group B

    Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

    Canada

    World ranking - 30

    World Cup appearances - 3

    World Cup best performance - group stage

    Bosnia-Herzegovina

    World ranking - 65

    World Cup appearances - 2

    World Cup best performance- group stage

    Qatar

    World ranking - 55

    World Cup appearances - 2

    World Cup best performance - group stage

    Switzerland

    World ranking - 19

    World Cup appearances - 13

    World Cup best performance - quarter-finals

    James Pantemis #16, Kamal Miller #4 and Zorhan Bassong #3 of Canada during the national anthem before a game against Guatemala in the second half at BMO Stadium on January 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images

  16. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    I'll watch an opening ceremony, especially one hosted in Mexico (they throw a good party). But I would love if that were the only bit of pageantry for the rest of the World Cup. Half-time is for chips.

    Harry, Manchester

  17. Group A - who are the key players?

    Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic

    Striker Raul Jimenez, 35, who re-signed for Wolves this week, usually delivers when Mexico need him most - just as he did in last year's Gold Cup final against the USA.

    Burnley's Lyle Foster, 25, is expected to lead South Africa's attack, although head coach Hugo Broos says he needs a confidence boost after a tough season in the Premier League.

    Former Spurs forward Son Heung-min is just two goals shy of Cha Bum-kun's all-time mark of 58. Without an MLS goal this season, he joked that he been saving them all for what is his fourth - and probably - final World Cup.

    Bayer Leverkusen's Patrik Schick, 30, was the joint-top scorer at Euro 2020 and his strike for Czech Republic from the halfway line against Scotland was named goal of the tournament.

    Raul JimenezGetty Images

  18. Group A - who are the favourites?

    Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic

    Given the heat, home advantage and their status as the highest-ranked side in the group, Mexico will be favourites to top it.

    South Africa are back at the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010 and will aim to entertain once again, as they did 16 years ago.

    Mexico and South Africa famously opened the tournament in 2010 and will do so again.

    Despite going unbeaten in their 16 qualifiers, scoring 40 goals and conceding just eight, optimism is in short supply among South Korean fans.

    A lack of trust in the tactics of coach Hong Myung-bo, who is regularly booed, has led to a sense of apathy.

    The Czech Republic are appearing at their first World Cup in 20 years and may fancy their chances of progressing from this group.

    Mexico's players pose for a team photo ahead of a friendly football match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte (formerly known as Azteca) Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026Getty Images

  19. Group A

    Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic

    Mexico

    World ranking - 15

    World Cup appearances - 18

    World Cup best performance - quarter-finals

    South Africa

    World ranking - 60

    World Cup appearances - 4

    World Cup best performance - group stage

    South Korea

    World ranking - 25

    World Cup appearances - 12

    World Cup best performance - semi-finals (2002)

    Czech Republic

    World ranking - 41

    World Cup appearances - 10*

    World Cup best performance - runners-up (1934, 1962 as Czechoslovakia)

    *includes appearances by former Czechoslovakia, whose records are recognised by Fifa.

    South Africa during the International Friendly match between South Africa and PanamaGetty Images

  20. Between Shakira and Raul Jimenez, there's something for everyone at this evening's curtain raiser.

    Will you be tuning in as the 2026 World Cup kicks off at Estadio Azteca?

    Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.

    In the meantime, let's take a look at the football which will take the stage once Burna Boy & co have warmed up the crowd.

    We'll start with the teams that hosts Mexico will face on their quest to qualify from Group A.