Five Must-Watch Matches from World Cup 2026's Opening Days

The World Cup kicks off this Thursday with over 100 matches to come, which presents something of a problem for those of us juggling work, family commitments, and a desperate need for sleep. Picking which games to actually watch requires some tactical nous.

Here are five standout encounters from the opening four days that shouldn't be missed:

Mexico v South Africa – Thursday 8pm, ITV

The curtain-raiser demands your attention, if only because it's the curtain-raiser. Four years of anticipation culminates in this opener, offering viewers an early sense of what this World Cup will deliver.

The timing suits European audiences perfectly, and there's genuine intrigue surrounding what unfolds. Javier Aguirre's Mexico side carries modest expectations heading into the tournament, though a strong showing against Bafana Bafana could quickly shift the narrative. The opening ceremony – featuring Shakira, Burna Boy, and various other performers – precedes proceedings, so settling in early makes sense.

USA v Paraguay – Saturday 2am, BBC

The hosts have their own ceremony on Friday night before Canada face Bosnia, but the real American action begins in the early hours of Saturday. Yes, 2am is brutal, but this one's worth the disruption.

Mauricio Pochettino's squad arrives with genuine momentum and optimism around their prospects. Paraguay rank considerably lower in the FIFA standings, presenting an ideal opportunity for the hosts to announce their arrival and energise the domestic support. The alternative – a shock defeat – would certainly make for compelling viewing of a different sort.

Brazil v Morocco – Saturday 11pm, BBC

The first proper look at one of the tournament's leading contenders comes here, even if Brazil enter their group without being universally fancied. Carlo Ancelotti's setup will face Morocco in what's likely their stiffest group examination, providing valuable early insight into whether the squad balance issues prove problematic.

This clash sets up nicely before the weekend's main events.

Haiti v Scotland – Sunday 2am, BBC

Scotland arrive having demolished opponents in warm-up fixtures, leaving Steve Clarke's side in excellent shape. Yet history whispers warnings – Italia '90's opening fixture against Costa Rica still haunts the Tartan Army's collective memory.

Haiti's demolition of New Zealand (4-0) raised eyebrows across Britain, particularly in Scotland, where observers noted England managed only a single goal against the same opposition. With Morocco and Brazil lurking in Group C, three points here proves essential if Scotland harbour genuine knockout aspirations.

Germany v Curacao – Sunday 6pm, ITV

A blessing for those of us who prefer reasonable bedtimes: Germany's opening match arrives at a civilised hour before the night's later fixtures. The four-time champions face the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup final tournament.

For Curacao, simply being here represents victory. For Julian Nagelsmann's side, however, the stakes carry weight. Germany sit among the favourites without commanding universal confidence, and a shock defeat would rank among the tournament's greatest surprises.