WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 with joint-hosts Mexico playing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium - iconic venue of the 1970 and 1986 finals - followed by South Korea against a playoff winner after the complex draw was made on Friday.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage draw was kind for El Tri.

The luck of the draw is more than just who you play as coaches aim to navigate the issues North America presents

Three Mexican cities poised to host 2026 World Cup matches are finishing renovations and bracing for massive crowds attending FIFA fan festivals.

Mexico will face South Africa, South Korea and a currently undetermined European opponent in the 2026 World Cup group stage.

Mexico's Edoson Álvarez said that playing at home will also help the team try to at least reach the quarterfinals.

Korea and Mexico enjoyed a soccer brotherhood in 2018 after Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min’s stoppage time goals helped Mexico clinch passage to the knockout stage despite a 3-0 loss to Sweden. The good vibes only continued with Son arriving in Los Angeles to join LAFC, a club with a large Mexican fan base, this summer.

Sheinbaum visited Washington for the first time for the World Cup draw gala. The US president is being friendly with his North American partners after months of threats and insults