2026 FIFA World Cup Preview: Early Matchups, Host Nations, Odds and TV Schedule

The FIFA World Cup begins Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching the largest tournament in FIFA history.

This year’s event features 48 teams, 104 matches and three host countries: the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The tournament runs through July 19, when the final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The tournament also offers a chance for record summer betting, with sportsbooks ramping up their offerings through the Cup.

Key Opening Weekend Details

• Opening match: Mexico vs. South Africa, June 11, Estadio Azteca
• Tournament dates: June 11 to July 19
• Host countries: United States, Mexico, Canada
• Teams: 48
• Matches: 104
• U.S. TV: FOX and FS1
• Streaming: FOX One and FOX Sports platforms
• Spanish-language coverage: Telemundo and Peacock

Early Games to Watch

Mexico opens the tournament as a strong favorite against South Africa, with El Tri around -248 on the moneyline and South Africa around +750. The match carries extra significance because Mexico is playing at home and opening the tournament at one of world soccer’s most historic venues.

Team USA begins its tournament June 12 against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, and is a favorite at about -108, with Paraguay near +309 at sportsbooks like DraftKings and BetMGM. This makes the matchup one of the more balanced early host-country contests.

Canada also opens June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, with Canada listed around -126 and Bosnia and Herzegovina around +360.

Host Country Openers

• Mexico vs. South Africa: June 11, Mexico City. Mexico will look to use home-field advantage and a deep attacking group led by players such as Santiago Gimenez, Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez.
• Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: June 12, Toronto. Canada enters with pressure to secure the program’s first World Cup victory and build toward the knockout round.
• United States vs. Paraguay: June 12, Inglewood. The U.S. opens with a manageable but important Group D match before later games against Australia and Türkiye.

Betting Favorites and Players to Watch

Spain enters as the tournament favorite at roughly +475, followed by France at +500, England at +650, Brazil at +850 and Argentina at +900. Portugal and Germany also remain prominent futures betting contenders, while the U.S., Mexico and Canada are longer shots despite the benefit of playing on home soil.

Key players to watch include Kylian Mbappé for France, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane for England, Vinícius Júnior for Brazil, Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez for Argentina, and Lamine Yamal for Spain.

For the host nations, Christian Pulisic remains central to the U.S. attack, Alphonso Davies leads Canada, and Mexico will rely heavily on Gimenez and Alvarez.

The opening weekend should bring strong betting interest across moneylines, totals, group winner markets and futures. Mexico’s opener will likely draw heavy public action, while USA-Paraguay and Canada-Bosnia offer more competitive early prices.

Futures bettors will be watching whether the top contenders justify their short odds or whether the expanded format creates early volatility.