Japan kickoff time · Group stage · Group A
Mexico vs South Africa kickoff time in Japan
The Mexico vs South Africa match kicks off at 3:00 AM JST on Fri, Jun 12, 2026. Played at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
Overnight kickoff in Japan. Dedicated fans only, or catch the highlights.
Where to watch in Japan
Primary FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders for Japan:
- NHKtv
Public broadcaster. Free-to-air coverage of all Japan matches plus highlights.
- ABEMAstreaming
Streaming platform expected to carry all matches free on its standard tier.
Other options: TV Asahi, Fuji TV.
Full Japan viewing guide →About this match
Mexico vs South Africa is the 1st fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and an opening-day match in Group A. The game is played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with a local kickoff of 12:00 PM. For viewers in Japan, that translates to 3:00 AM JST on Fri, Jun 12, 2026.
Mexico enters the tournament with a FIFA ranking of 17, while South Africa is ranked 56. Japan Standard Time. The 10:00 AM JST window for evening Pacific Time kickoffs is the prime-time slot for Japanese viewers. Most US-based matches kick off in the early-morning JST window, requiring late-night or sunrise viewing. Japan fixtures in their group will likely fall into the 7:00 AM or 10:00 AM JST windows depending on group draw.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Mexico vs South Africa kick off in Japan?
Mexico vs South Africa kicks off at 3:00 AM JST on Fri, Jun 12, 2026 in Japan. The match is played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (local kickoff 12:00 PM).
Where can I watch Mexico vs South Africa live in Japan?
In Japan, NHK and ABEMA hold the primary FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights. Public broadcaster. Free-to-air coverage of all Japan matches plus highlights. Check our Japan viewing guide for the latest streaming and TV options.
What stage of the tournament is Mexico vs South Africa?
This is a group stage match in Group A, the opening fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Is the kickoff time good for Japan viewers?
Overnight kickoff in Japan. Dedicated fans only, or catch the highlights. For full IST/local kickoff conversions across all 104 matches, see our complete schedule page.
Related pages
- Mexico vs South Africa full match previewTactical breakdown, head-to-head history, key players, and per-country kickoff times.
- World Cup 2026 schedule for JapanAll 104 matches with JST kickoff times and broadcast info.
- Build your World Cup 2026 bracketPick all 12 groups, simulate knockouts, save and share. Free, no signup.