2026 FIFA World Cup Begins Thursday with Mexico vs. South Africa Match

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City, marking the beginning of the 104-game tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk will be covering the tournament from Mexico City and will answer viewer questions about the World Cup in a livestream for subscribers at noon ET. The tournament represents a historic moment as it is the first World Cup hosted across three nations.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament begins Thursday with Mexico's group stage match against South Africa at 3 p.m. ET in Mexico City, launching the 104-game competition co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk is positioned in Mexico City to cover the tournament and will engage with viewers through a subscriber-only livestream at noon ET where she will answer questions about the World Cup and related topics. The Q&A session will also be available on demand after the livestream concludes. This tournament marks a significant milestone as the first World Cup to be hosted across three nations rather than a single country.
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Stephanie Gosk answers your questions about the World Cup and more
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