By Kunle Solaja.

Just as the Nigeria versus Argentina match in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2014 was the 800^th World Cup match in history, another African team is set to hit a milestone at the 2026 World Cup.

Tunisia’s group-stage meeting with Japan at the FIFA World Cup 2026 will enter the record books as the 1,000th fixture in the tournament’s history.

The landmark match is scheduled for Monterrey on Saturday, 20 June, with kick-off at 22:00 local time, FIFA confirmed following the Final Draw in Washington, D.C.

Nigeria’s 3-2 loss to Argentina in 2014 marked the 800th match in World Cup history.

The announcement came during a live televised show in the US capital, where FIFA Legends Ronaldo Nazário, Francesco Totti, Hristo Stoichkov and Alexi Lalas joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino to unveil the updated match schedule for the first-ever 48-team World Cup.

This will not be the first time Tunisia will be making a mark at the World Cup. The team at Argentina ’78 became the first African team to win a World Cup match after coming from a goal down to beat Mexico 3-1.

Now with the 2026 draw concluded, supporters of the 42 teams already qualified—alongside 22 more still battling for the final six berths—now know the venues and dates that will define their World Cup journeys.

In another headline moment, hosts Mexico will open the expanded tournament against South Africa in Mexico City at 13:00 local time on Thursday, 11 June, a rematch of the 2010 World Cup curtain-raiser.

The encounter will reunite coaches Javier Aguirre and Hugo Broos, whose paths last crossed at the FIFA World Cup at the same historic venue in 1986.

Co-hosts Canada and the United States also learned their opening assignments. Canada will face the winner of the European play-off—featuring Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina—in Toronto on 12 June, while the USA begin their campaign in Los Angeles against Paraguay later that evening.

But global attention will inevitably turn toward Monterrey eight days later, when Tunisia and Japan walk out for the World Cup’s 1,000th match, an occasion that adds a historic sparkle to a tournament already breaking new ground.

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Football fans will get a star-studded preview of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ this Saturday, when FIFA unveils the updated match venues and kick-off times for the first 48-team edition of the tournament.

The announcement will be made live from 12:00 EST (18:00 CET) on Saturday, 6 December 2025, streamed across FIFA platforms including FIFA.com and FIFA’s YouTube channel, ensuring global audiences can follow in real time.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will be joined by a distinguished panel of FIFA Legends to break down the match-ups, including Ronaldo Nazário — a two-time World Cup winner with Brazil — and Francesco Totti, who lifted the trophy with Italy in 2006.

Bulgarian icon Hristo Stoichkov, joint top scorer at USA 1994, and American great Alexi Lalas, one of the most recognisable figures from that same tournament, will also provide expert insight. Popular commentator Andrés Cantor will serve as host.

The reveal comes 24 hours after the spectacular Final Draw in Washington DC, where 12 groups of four were confirmed for the expanded 104-match event co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Saturday’s event will confirm which stadiums will host each game and the precise kick-off times, offering fans a clearer picture of travel plans, marquee fixtures and potential blockbuster encounters throughout the competition.

FIFA says the final version of the schedule will be published in March 2026 after the remaining FIFA and UEFA play-offs are completed and the last six qualifying places are filled.

The 2026 edition will be the biggest World Cup in history — and now, the countdown to who plays where moves up a gear.

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Morocco head coach Walid Regragui says facing Brazil at the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be a “dream” match-up for his team, after the draw placed the Atlas Lions alongside the five-time world champions.

Speaking moments after the draw in Washington, Regragui described the fixture as an honour and an opportunity for Morocco to measure itself against one of football’s greatest nations.

“Playing against Brazil is a dream for everyone. It is an honour for us; Brazil is the country of football, and for Moroccans, it is an example,” he said.

“We have great respect for the Selecao, but let’s be honest, it will be a great game. May the better team win.”

Morocco, World Cup semi-finalists in Qatar 2022, have been widely tipped as Africa’s leading challengers in the expanded 2026 edition.

Their group, however, now features one of the tournament favourites in a meeting that will instantly become one of the most anticipated games of the opening phase.

Regragui’s side famously eliminated European giants Spain and Portugal on their way to making history two years ago, but Brazil represents a different type of test—one the coach believes his players will embrace with confidence and respect.

For Moroccan fans, the fixture is likely to evoke memories of recent friendly meetings in which the Atlas Lions have shown they can compete with elite opponents.

With Regragui determined to prove Morocco’s rise is no accident, the coach’s reaction suggests the African heavyweights are not intimidated by reputation—only inspired by the opportunity.

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