The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off on Thursday! It’s time to dive into the World Cup matches today to get you ready to enjoy the tournament in all its glory. The World Cup schedule today features a pair of matches to get us started. Let’s preview today’s World Cup matches with the top players, biggest storylines, and betting odds to know. 

Today’s FIFA World Cup Schedule 6/11

We have two World Cup matches today to get the group stage going. Both games feature Group A squads, with host Mexico kicking things off in the afternoon. Check out the World Cup schedule today before you enjoy the action. 

  • Mexico vs. South Africa – 3 pm ET on FOX
  • South Korea vs. Czechia – 10 pm ET on FS1

 

 

 

Best World Cup Match To Watch Today

Today’s World Cup matches begin with Mexico opening up the tournament in its home country. Of course, we’ll all be tuned into that game, but it likely won’t be the best of the World Cup matches today. That honor should be given to South Korea vs. Czechia in the nightcap. 

Mexico is expected to win Group A, and South Africa is the distant fourth-best team in the group. So, this match between South Korea and Czechia could decide second place and automatic qualification for the knockout rounds. This should be a tightly contested game with both teams having a realistic shot at winning. 

Top Players To Watch in Today’s Matches

The World Cup matches today feature a number of top players worth tracking. Raúl Jiménez headlines Mexico’s attack against South Africa. The veteran striker is playing in his fourth World Cup and ranks third in all-time goals for his country. Mexico’s other key players to know are goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and midfielder Edson Alvarez. 

In the South Korea vs. Czechia matchup, we also have some exciting offensive skill players to watch. Son Heung-min is the star for South Korea, and he enters the tournament as his country’s all-time leading goal scorer. As for Czechia, Patrik Schick is a prolific goal scorer who could easily find the back of the net in today’s World Cup matches. 

 

 

 

Biggest Storylines Heading Into Today’s Matches

As we dive deeper into the World Cup schedule today, let’s look at some of the biggest storylines to know. All eyes will be on Mexico as it kicks off the World Cup matches today. Expectations are high as a host nation, and the atmosphere in Mexico City this afternoon will surely be electric. 

South Africa enters that match against Mexico as significant underdogs. However, if it can eke out a draw or even pull off the improbable victory, then Group A immediately gets shaken up. Can South Africa spoil the party, and will Mexico struggle with the pressure of playing at home with lofty goals?

Elsewhere in today’s World Cup matches, as noted above, the result between South Korea and Czechia could very well determine second place in the group. A win for either squad can vault them up the standings and put them in a favorable position to advance. This is an underrated early battle to watch. 

World Cup Odds Today at DraftKings Sportsbook

Now that we’ve set the stage for the World Cup matches today, let’s talk betting odds. Check out how the odds and lines shake out for the World Cup schedule today, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. 

  • Mexico vs. South Africa
    • Moneyline: Mexico -240 | Draw +340 | South Africa +750 
    • Total Goals: Over 2.5 (+115) | Under 2.5 (-150)
  • South Korea vs. Czechia 
    • Moneyline: South Korea +170 | Draw +215 | Czechia +180
    • Total Goals: Over 2.5 (+120) | Under 2.5 (-155)

 

 

 

What Today’s Matches Mean For The Tournament

The World Cup matches today carry plenty of weight for the tournament overall. If either South Korea or Czechia wins that matchup and secures a crucial 3 points, it could essentially punch a ticket to the knockout rounds. Both squads will want the victory before facing Mexico in the group stage. 

Meanwhile, Mexico will be motivated to begin the tournament with a statement win on home soil. El Tri is heavily favored to beat South Africa in today’s World Cup match, but it has to get the job done. Will the Mexicans do so in emphatic fashion, or will it be a sweat?