You set the alarm for 12:30 AM. The ceremony ran long. By the time Mexico kicked off at Estadio Azteca, half of India was already up — and the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening day results for India on June 11 started exactly when they were supposed to.
The first whistle blew in Mexico City, one of three host cities carrying this tournament, and for once the 11.5-hour timezone gap worked the right way for Indian viewers. The viewer guide warned that 69 of 104 matches would land at awful hours. Day 1 wasn’t one of them. Match 1 landed just after midnight IST. Match 2 lined up for 7:30 AM, before most offices opened.
Opening Day Results: Why the Venue Did Half the Work Before Anyone Touched the Ball
This isn’t a new stadium. Estadio Azteca hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cups — the only ground in this tournament that has been here before. Pelé lifted his third trophy on this pitch. Maradona scored the Hand of God on this pitch. On Wednesday, 80,824 seats filled to watch Mexico become the first country to host or co-host the World Cup three times.
Then Shakira sang. Burna Boy performed. Andrea Bocelli closed the ceremony. Alejandro Fernández carried the Mexican anthem. Tyla carried South Africa’s. The football had to follow all of that — the host nation, opening the first 48-team World Cup in history, against a South African side that drew Group A’s most unforgiving fixture. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio took the whistle. The Azteca did the rest.
World Cup 2026 Day 1 Matches Still Coming Before the Workday Starts
South Korea face Czech Republic at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara at 7:30 AM IST — Group A’s other half, before the office opens. Both sides know the group cracked open the moment Mexico’s home advantage went to work. Thursday brings Canada vs Bosnia at BMO Field and the USA’s opener at SoFi Stadium. Zee5 has the streaming, after the broadcast deal that took until six days before kickoff to close — a deal that almost didn’t happen after FIFA asked $100M, then $35M, and India still said no.
The early morning viewers who dragged themselves out of bed got their reward. This is Day 1 analysis for a tournament that runs 38 more days — and the football didn’t wait for the contract. India set its alarms anyway. The FIFA World Cup 2026 opening day results were worth every lost hour of sleep. The next 38 days are the payback.