2026 World Cup: Mexico to face an African side in the opening match?

Mexico to play against an African team in the 2026 World Cup opener

Tunisie – Brazil/@Tunisie-Foot

FIFA has officially announced the seedings and the draw procedure for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for December 5, 2025.

We already know that the host countries—Mexico, Canada, and the United States—will be placed in groups A, B, and D, respectively.

This means the 2026 World Cup opener will see Mexico take on an opponent from pot three, excluding Panama, since they share the same continent.

Five African nations could potentially face El Tri in that curtain-raiser: Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, and South Africa.

Six other countries are also in the mix: Norway, Scotland, Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

It’s worth noting that this highly anticipated opening match will take place on June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium.