Match Guide3 min read·

Mexico vs South AfricaKickoff Time (All Timezones + Live Countdown)

Group A · Opening MatchEstadio Azteca, Mexico City·Thu, Jun 11, 2026 · 19:00 UTC
The opening match of FIFA World Cup 2026 pits host nation Mexico against South Africa at Estadio Azteca — one of football's most iconic stadiums — on June 11 at 19:00 UTC. Because the tournament is hosted in North America, viewers across every continent will watch at very different local times. Find your city below.

Americas

Los AngelesPDT
UTC-7
12:00 PM
DenverMDT
UTC-6
1:00 PM
Mexico CityCDT
UTC-6
1:00 PM
ChicagoCDT
UTC-5
2:00 PM
New YorkEDT
UTC-4
3:00 PM
BogotáCOT
UTC-5
2:00 PM
São PauloBRT
UTC-3
4:00 PM
Buenos AiresART
UTC-3
4:00 PM

Europe & Africa

LondonBST
UTC+1
8:00 PM
BerlinCEST
UTC+2
9:00 PM
JohannesburgSAST
UTC+2
9:00 PM
IstanbulTRT
UTC+3
10:00 PM

Middle East & Asia

DubaiGST
UTC+4
11:00 PM
MumbaiIST
UTC+5:30
12:30 AMJun 12
BangkokICT
UTC+7
2:00 AMJun 12
BeijingCST
UTC+8
3:00 AMJun 12
TokyoJST
UTC+9
4:00 AMJun 12

Pacific

SydneyAEST
UTC+10
5:00 AMJun 12
AucklandNZST
UTC+12
7:00 AMJun 12

What time is Mexico vs South Africa?

Mexico vs South Africa kicks off at 19:00 UTC on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. That is 3:00 PM EDT in New York, 8:00 PM BST in the UK, and 12:30 AM IST in India on Friday, June 12.

What time is it in the US, UK, India?

  • US: 12:00 PM PDT in Los Angeles, 1:00 PM MDT in Denver, 2:00 PM CDT in Chicago and Dallas, 3:00 PM EDT in New York.
  • UK: 8:00 PM BST on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
  • India: 12:30 AM IST on Friday, June 12, 2026.

For fans in North America, the timing is excellent. West Coast viewers catch the opening whistle at noon Pacific, Central and Mountain time fans get an early-afternoon game, and East Coast viewers tune in at 3:00 PM EDT — all well within prime daytime hours.

Europe gets a strong evening slot: 8:00 PM in London and 9:00 PM across Central Europe. South Africa supporters face a late kick-off at 9:00 PM SAST — prime time for the away fans.

Viewers in the Middle East and Asia face a tougher schedule. The game falls after midnight in Dubai and Mumbai, and deep into the small hours for East Asia — Tokyo sees a 4:00 AM start, Sydney 5:00 AM.

View the full match page for lineups, live scores, and more details, or explore the Mexico and South Africa country pages for squad and group stage information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is Mexico vs South Africa in the USA?

3:00 PM EDT in New York, 2:00 PM CDT in Chicago and Dallas, 1:00 PM MDT in Denver, and 12:00 PM PDT in Los Angeles — all on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Every US time zone gets a daytime kick-off.

What time is Mexico vs South Africa in the UK?

8:00 PM BST on Thursday, June 11, 2026 — a prime-time evening kick-off, ideal for fans across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

What time is Mexico vs South Africa in India?

12:30 AM IST on Friday, June 12, 2026. The match falls in the middle of the night for fans in India — set an alarm or catch the highlights the next morning.

Is Mexico vs South Africa today or tomorrow in Australia?

Tomorrow — the match starts at 5:00 AM AEST on Friday, June 12, 2026 in Sydney. Fans in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth face similarly early morning starts.

What time is Mexico vs South Africa in South Africa?

9:00 PM SAST on Thursday, June 11, 2026 — prime-time for Bafana Bafana supporters watching from Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban.

What time is Mexico vs South Africa in Canada?

3:00 PM EDT in Toronto and Ottawa, 2:00 PM CDT in Winnipeg, and 12:00 PM PDT in Vancouver — all Thursday, June 11, 2026.

What date is Mexico vs South Africa?

Thursday, June 11, 2026. Kick-off is 19:00 UTC at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — the opening match of FIFA World Cup 2026.