Football’s biggest tournament opens on Thursday 11 June across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and this is the first edition built around 48 teams and 104 matches over 39 days. For Australian fans that means setting an alarm: both opening-day fixtures are played in Mexico, so they land in the early hours and around midday of Friday 12 June here in AEST. Day one belongs entirely to Group A, with two matches on the card and the rest of the 48-team field still to come over the following days.

The standout is the opener itself — Mexico v South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. As co-hosts, Mexico get the honour of kicking off the tournament on home soil, and the venue carries its own slice of history: the Azteca becomes the first stadium to stage matches at three different World Cups, having hosted the 1970 and 1986 finals. There are no points on the board for anyone yet, so this is purely about a fast start — Mexico will want to settle the nerves and lay down a marker in front of a packed house, while South Africa, back at the tournament, will be out to spoil the party. For viewers here it’s a 5:00am AEST wake-up, but for the first whistle of a World Cup, that’s a fair trade.

The day’s other fixture completes Group A’s opening round: South Korea v Czechia over in Guadalajara. It’s a far more civilised watch for Australians at midday, and an intriguing one. Both sides know early points in a four-team group are precious, and with Mexico and South Africa having already played their opener, the winner here can immediately apply pressure across the group. South Korea will bring their familiar pace and a core of players based in Europe’s top leagues, while Czechia will fancy their chances of an early statement. Neither will want to start on the back foot.

Today’s World Cup schedule in Sydney, Thursday 11 June (AEST kick-offs Friday 12 June)

5:00am (Fri 12 June) — Mexico v South Africa. Round: Group A, group stage (matchday 1). TV/streaming: SBS, SBS On Demand. Stadium: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City).
12:00pm (Fri 12 June) — South Korea v Czechia. Round: Group A, group stage (matchday 1). TV/streaming: SBS, SBS On Demand. Stadium: Estadio Akron (Guadalajara).

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