Mexico: Fans celebrate and march toward Azteca Stadium ahead of Mexico-South Africa 2026 World Cup match (2).

SHOTLIST: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JUNE 11, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF FANS WAITING AT ENTRANCE OF AZTECA STADIUM / SOME FANS WEARING JERSEY, SOME WEARING TRADITIONAL MAKE UP AND CLOTHESMEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11, 2026: Ahead of Mexico-South Africa 2026 World Cup match fans and football enthusiasts celebrated, wearing traditional clothes and holding flags fans waited at the entrance of Azteca Stadium on Thursday, June 11, in Mexico City, Mexico. Security measures were in place around Azteca Stadium as officials completed final preparations for the competition. Across the city, streets were decorated with World Cup-themed displays, adding to the growing excitement ahead of kickoff. Music and dance performances also took place in public areas as residents and visitors prepared for football’s biggest tournament. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held for the first time in three countries with 48 teams, will kick off on Thursday. The tournament, hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, will be held across three countries with 48 teams for the first time. The tournament marks the first World Cup to include 10 African participants and eight Arab countries, four of which are both African and Arab. The tournament will begin with the opening match on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium, and will conclude at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City, on July 19, after six weeks of excitement. A total of 104 matches will be played in 16 stadiums across four different time zones. The US will host 78 matches. The largest of the 16 stadiums is Dallas Stadium with a capacity of 94,000, while the smallest is in Toronto at 45,000.