The 2026 World Cup kicks off on 11 June with hosts Mexico, before Canada and the United States open on 12 June. Below are the first marquee fixtures, with each team's form and signature numbers from the ScanGoal database.
Mexico vs South Africa — opening match (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, 11 June)
The tournament opens at the Estadio Azteca. Mexico carry the host's burden and a home crowd; South Africa are the group's outsiders but earned their place in qualifying.
Head-to-head
The last 1 meeting between them in our database:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 11.06.26 | Mexico2:0xG 1.4 : 0.1South Africa |
Mexico last 12 months · 20 matches| Goals for/game | 1.4 |
| Goals against/game | 0.6 |
| xG for/game | 1.1 |
| xG against/game | 0.5 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 30% |
| Both teams score | 30% |
| Corners/game | 4.3 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.9 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.1 |
- tilts under: under 2.5 goals in 70% of games
- a tight defence — just 0.6 conceded per game
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 30%
South Africa last 12 months · 15 matches| Goals for/game | 1.3 |
| Goals against/game | 0.9 |
| xG for/game | 1.0 |
| xG against/game | 0.8 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 47% |
| Both teams score | 53% |
| Corners/game | 4.6 |
| Yellow cards/game | 2.0 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.6 |
- out-finishing their xG
Angle: World Cup openers are usually cautious, and the numbers above back that — modest output on both sides. The first-half under is the lean.
South Korea vs Czechia (Guadalajara, 11 June)
Group A's real decider for second place, served up on day one. South Korea's attacking numbers are among the best in the group; Czechia defend in a disciplined block.
Head-to-head
The last 2 meetings between them in our database:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 12.06.26 | South Korea2:1xG 2.0 : 0.8Czech Republic |
| 05.06.16 | Czech Republic1:2South Korea |
South Korea last 12 months · 15 matches| Goals for/game | 1.5 |
| Goals against/game | 0.9 |
| xG for/game | 1.1 |
| xG against/game | 0.6 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 40% |
| Both teams score | 13% |
| Corners/game | 4.9 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.1 |
| Shots on target/game | 3.9 |
- tilts under: under 2.5 goals in 60% of games
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 13%
- disciplined — only 1.1 yellows per game
- out-finishing their xG
Czech Republic last 12 months · 13 matches| Goals for/game | 1.7 |
| Goals against/game | 1.1 |
| xG for/game | 1.6 |
| xG against/game | 1.1 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 54% |
| Both teams score | 69% |
| Corners/game | 5.2 |
| Yellow cards/game | 0.8 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.6 |
- goals at both ends — BTTS in 69% of games
- disciplined — only 0.8 yellows per game
Angle: South Korea's goal output against a compact Czech side — the team-total and over markets for the Koreans are where the value sits.
Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (BMO Field, Toronto, 12 June)
Co-hosts Canada begin at home against a Bosnia side built on experience. The home crowd makes Canada slight favourites to start with a win.
Head-to-head
The last 1 meeting between them in our database:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 12.06.26 | Canada1:1xG 1.2 : 1.0Bosnia |
Canada last 12 months · 14 matches| Goals for/game | 1.5 |
| Goals against/game | 0.4 |
| xG for/game | 1.6 |
| xG against/game | 0.6 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 21% |
| Both teams score | 29% |
| Corners/game | 7.8 |
| Yellow cards/game | 2.2 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.6 |
- tilts under: under 2.5 goals in 79% of games
- a tight defence — just 0.4 conceded per game
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 29%
- works the flanks — 7.8 corners per game
- a card-prone side — 2.2 yellows per game
Bosnia & Herzegovina last 12 months · 12 matches| Goals for/game | 1.8 |
| Goals against/game | 1.3 |
| xG for/game | 1.4 |
| xG against/game | 1.3 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 50% |
| Both teams score | 83% |
| Corners/game | 4.7 |
| Yellow cards/game | 2.3 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.5 |
- goals at both ends — BTTS in 83% of games
- a card-prone side — 2.3 yellows per game
- out-finishing their xG
Angle: host-nation openers historically tilt to the hosts; Canada to start positively is the lean.
Full group breakdowns: Group A, Group B. Daily value: Value Picks. Analysis only. 18+, gamble responsibly.