World Cup Kicks Off at Estadio Azteca — Mexico-South Africa Group A Opener; First MetLife Match (Brazil-Morocco) Tomorrow; Queens Fan Zone Opens Today
June 12, 2026FIFA | Al Jazeera | CBS New York | NYC Tourism | Brooklyn Eagle Official
Read the full story at FIFA | Al Jazeera | CBS New York | NYC Tourism | Brooklyn Eagle Summary
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens today at Estadio Azteca with Mexico-South Africa — the first stadium ever to host three World Cup openings (after 1970 and 1986). Opening ceremony featured Shakira, Burna Boy, and J Balvin before 80K+ fans. NYC/NJ's first match is tomorrow Sat Jun 13: Brazil-Morocco at MetLife. Battery Park City hosts a watch party tonight; the Queens fan zone at USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center opens today (runs Jun 11-27). Brooklyn Bridge Park fan zone opens Jun 13 through Jul 19. Tournament window runs Jun 12-Jul 19. NJ Transit has sold 35,686 tickets for the 8 MetLife matches; access to Penn Station and Secaucus Junction trains will be ticket-holder-only for 4 hours before each match.
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