Fox Sports holds the official English-language FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcasting rights in the United States, carrying all 104 matches across the FOX and FS1 networks. Mexico vs South Africa, the tournament's opening Group A match, airs on the main FOX channel on Thursday, June 11, at 3:00 PM ET — and it is free over the air with a basic antenna. No cable subscription is required to watch the opener on FOX.
This is the World Cup's return to Fox after a successful 2022 run, and the broadcaster enters the 2026 edition with a record 40 primetime matches scheduled across FOX and FS1. Mexico vs South Africa is part of a showcase opening day that marks the start of the biggest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Mexico
FT
2 - 0
South Africa
Scorers: Mexico: Julian Quinones 9', Raul Jimenez 67'
How to Watch Mexico vs South Africa on FOX Sports
The match airs on the main FOX network, not FS1. US viewers with a basic cable or satellite package, or a digital TV antenna, can watch for free. The FOX One app streams all 104 World Cup 2026 matches live, with select games available in 4K. FOX One is available at $19.99 per month as a standalone subscription, or the Fox Sports App streams matches for free with a cable login.
Live TV streaming services carrying FOX channels include FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream. Each of these services streams FOX and FS1 as part of their base packages. Download and test your chosen platform before June 11 to ensure smooth access at kickoff.
Match Quick Facts
| Key Info | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | Mexico vs South Africa |
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group A — Match 1 |
| Date | Thursday, June 11, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 3:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Referee | Wilton Sampaio (Brazil) |
| US English Rights | FOX Sports |
| TV Channel | FOX (main network) |
| Free OTA | Yes — with antenna |
| Streaming | FOX One, Fox Sports App, FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV |
| Commentary | English |
Kickoff Time by Time Zone — USA Viewers
| Region | Kickoff Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 3:00 PM ET |
| Central (CT) | 2:00 PM CT |
| Mountain (MT) | 1:00 PM MT |
| Pacific (PT) | 12:00 PM PT |
| Alaska (AKT) | 11:00 AM AKT |
| Hawaii (HST) | 9:00 AM HST |
Mexico vs South Africa — Match Preview
Mexico arrive at Estadio Azteca carrying co-host pressure and genuine quality. El Tri are unbeaten in eight successive internationals, with wins over Ghana, Australia, and Serbia in their final pre-tournament fixtures. Strikers Raúl Jiménez and Santiago Giménez provide a strong attacking threat, while Edson Álvarez anchors a deep, experienced midfield. The home crowd at the Azteca — one of the most electric atmospheres in world football — will be a significant advantage.
South Africa earned their place in the tournament the hard way, recovering from a mid-qualifying points deduction to pip Nigeria for the CONCACAF berth. Bafana Bafana's 74-year-old Belgian coach Hugo Broos has built a possession-focused side, but the squad's recent form — no wins in four warmup matches — raises questions about their readiness to compete with the tournament's top sides. This is South Africa's first World Cup since 2010, when they co-hosted the tournament and produced one of the all-time iconic opening-match moments against this same Mexican side.
H2H Record — Mexico vs South Africa
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 3 |
| Mexico Wins | 1 |
| Draws | 2 |
| South Africa Wins | 0 |
| Last Meeting | June 11, 2010 — 1-1 draw (World Cup opener, Johannesburg) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mexico vs South Africa on FOX Sports?
Yes. Fox Sports holds English-language US rights to all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. Mexico vs South Africa, the opening Group A match, airs on the main FOX network on June 11 at 3:00 PM ET and is free over the air with an antenna.
Is Mexico vs South Africa free to watch on FOX?
Yes. The match airs on the main FOX channel, which is free over the air with a digital TV antenna. The FOX One app also streams it live, though FOX One requires a subscription.
How do I stream Mexico vs South Africa on FOX One?
Download the FOX One app on your phone, tablet, Smart TV, or streaming device. Subscribe for $19.99 per month and search for the World Cup 2026 live coverage on June 11 at 3:00 PM ET.
What time does Mexico vs South Africa kick off for West Coast viewers?
West Coast viewers on Pacific Time watch the kickoff at 12:00 PM PT on June 11. The match is at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Is the FOX Sports App free for Mexico vs South Africa?
The Fox Sports App is free to download and requires a cable or satellite TV login to stream live matches. It is not a standalone streaming product, so a FOX One subscription or cable package is needed to watch.
Mexico vs South Africa on FOX is the official start of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Set up your FOX antenna, download FOX One, or log into your cable streaming service before 3:00 PM ET on June 11. Use FWC LIVE for the confirmed Group A schedule, live score updates, and match details for all 104 World Cup matches.
Read Also: Mexico vs South Africa Live on TV Azteca — FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener
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