Mexico city: The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, has officially begun. The tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, commenced with an opening ceremony at Aztegar Stadium in Mexico, featuring a performance by Shakira and Burna Boy. Their rendition of the World Cup opening song "Dai Dai" captivated over 80,000 fans, setting the stage for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
According to Thai News Agency, Mexico started their World Cup campaign on a high note, defeating South Africa 2-0 despite being reduced to 10 men. South Africa ended the match with nine players. This victory earned Mexico three points and placed them at the top of Group A. The match was notable for the issuance of three red cards.
Thailand, although the last to secure broadcasting rights for this year's World Cup, has made significant strides for future tournaments. JAS has negotiated a deal to broadcast the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, as well as other FIFA tournaments over the next four years. Dr. Sorat Asavaprapha, CEO of Jasmine International Public Company Limited (JAS), announced that the rights were acquired for US$70 million, approximately 2,305 million baht. This reflects a substantial increase from FIFA's initial offer of US$40 million.
The only available package for watching all 104 World Cup matches costs 5,999 baht per year and is accessible via the MonoMax app. The package includes access to the English Premier League, other football leagues, and the Euro 2028 qualifiers in 4K resolution, allowing viewers to watch on two devices simultaneously. Additionally, 40-50 matches will be broadcast on free-to-air television, including the opening match and the final. Thai viewers will also be treated to performances during the opening ceremony and a show by Thai artist Lisa on June 13th.