BBC 5 Live Sport will broadcast live coverage of Mexico v South Africa from the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday 11 June 2026 at 13:00 UK time, with Kelly Cates presenting on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sounds app. The match is part of the tournament’s opening round and is listed by FIFA for 11 June 2026, with kick-off shown locally in Mexico City at 19:00 and in the UK at 13:00. [6][7]

For British audiences, BBC Radio 5 Live remains one of the most familiar homes for major international football, combining live match commentary, analysis and phone-ins, while BBC Sounds offers the same coverage for listeners on the move. The World Cup itself runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, making this one of the first live broadcasts of the expanded finals. [7]

Kelly Cates is one of the BBC’s most experienced football broadcasters and has become a regular presenting voice across radio and television sport. Her role on a World Cup programme will be especially significant for listeners who prefer the more immediate, descriptive style of radio coverage over television punditry. [6]

The pundit line-up brings together a mix of experience and different football perspectives. Phil Jones, the former Manchester United and England defender, offers insight from the viewpoint of a modern top-level centre-back and will be able to speak to the demands of tournament football from a player’s perspective. Julien Laurens is a well-known journalist and French football expert whose work has made him a familiar analyst of European and international football. David Edgar, the former defender who represented clubs including Newcastle United and Burnley and also played internationally for Canada, adds a practical, experienced voice on defensive organisation and the realities of World Cup competition. Guillem Balagué, one of the most recognisable Spanish football journalists in the UK, is widely respected for his long-standing reporting on the game in Spain and across Europe. [6]

This broadcast sits within a tournament that is already attracting global attention because of its scale and format. FIFA’s official schedule confirms that the 2026 World Cup will feature matches across multiple host cities and a total of 104 games, with the group stage beginning on 11 June. Mexico’s opening fixture against South Africa is among the earliest matches on the calendar, giving BBC listeners an immediate start to the competition. [2][6][7]

For listeners planning to tune in, the key details are straightforward: BBC Radio 5 Live carries the live programme, BBC Sounds provides app access, and Kelly Cates fronts the coverage alongside Phil Jones, Julien Laurens, David Edgar and Guillem Balagué. [6]

More on the tournament can be found via the official FIFA World Cup 2026 page.

Article generated: 9 June 2026, 13:00 GMT