World Cup 2026 Daily Guide 6/11/26: Guillermo Ochoa, Son Hueng-min take center stage

Four years removed from the last tournament (or really 3.5 since 2022 was played in Nov/Dec), the 2026 World Cup is here. On Thursday, June 11, two games are on the docket as Group A takes center stage, led by one of the three host nations, Mexico. So, whether you are a quadrennial fan who checks in on soccer every four years and may watch little outside the USMNT, or you are a football sicko who plans to take in as many of the 104 World Cup 2026 matches as possible, we’ve got you covered here.

Here is your World Cup 2026 Daily Guide: What to watch for on 6/11/26.

World Cup matches on 6/11/26

Mexico vs. South Africa — Mexico City, Mexico — 3 pm ET (FOX, Telemundo/Peacock)

Odds: Mexico -235, Draw +340, South Africa +750

South Korea vs. Czechia — Guadalajara, Mexico — 10 pm ET (FOX, Telemundo/Peacock)

Odds: South Korea +170, Draw +210, Czechia +185

Odds via DraftKings

3 things to watch for on World Cup 2026 Day 1 

Here are three things to watch for and fun facts to amaze and entertain your friends with on Day 1 of the 2026 World Cup.

The opening ceremony

This will be one of the 2026 World Cup opening ceremonies. There will also be two on Friday as the tournament kicks off in Canada and the United States. The festivities begin 90 minutes before kickoff (1:30 pm ET) and feature a ton of performers.

For the Mexico opening ceremonies, fans will get to see Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, and Tyla. However, the headliners are Shakira and Burna Boy, who will perform the official song of the 2026 World Cup, “Dai Dai.”

For the hardcore soccer fan, this is just a lot of nonsense you have to get through in order to get to the football. For the casual fan, this may be a Thursday highlight, as there is not a ton of international star power in the first two games.

Plus, who doesn’t love Shakira?

Mexico keeper to make history before Cristiano Ronaldo can

History could be made from the opening kick as 40-year-old Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is expected to start between the pipes for the host team. If he does, he will become the first player to play in six World Cups. The legend Cristiano Ronaldo will join him in the six-timers club when Portugal takes the pitch on Wednesday, Jun. 17, but because Mexico plays first, Memo Ochoa will always be the answer to this future trivia question.

This is a key match for Mexico, which is the heavy favorite. Upcoming Group A matches against South Korea and Czechia should be much tougher, so it’s crucial they get the three points here.

A South Korean superstar with American ties makes his last run

Heung-min Son is an icon in South Korea and may be a familiar name to American fans as well. The longtime Tottenham Hotspur attacker had a long Premier League career before moving to LAFC in MLS. Now, at 33, he is potentially playing in his last World Cup and is looking to lead his country to the Knockout Round for just the fourth time ever (Qatar 2022, South Africa 2010, Japan/South Korea 2002).

South Korea is the second favorite to win Group A, but only slightly over Czechia, and those odds are reflected in this match, where Son’s team gets the slight edge. This will be a major contrast of styles, as the skill and speed of South Korea go head-to-head with one of the biggest, most physical teams in the tournament in Czechia.

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