Overview:
When South Africa were the hosts back in 2010, Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scores for Bafana Bafana before Rafael Marquez, current assistant to Javier Aguirre levelled matters for the Mexicans as the match ended 1-1 in Johannesburg.
Thursday June 11, 2026
- Estadio Azteca [Mexico City Stadium] 10pm [EAT]
In a repeat of the opening match sixteen years ago, Mexico and South Africa face off in the World Cup opener of the 2026 edition at the Estadio Azteca.
The first of the 104 matches in an expanded world cup edition will see either side aiming to pick maximum points in order to ease passage to the next round from a competitive Group A that has South Korea and Czech Republic as well.
When South Africa were the hosts back in 2010, Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scores for Bafana Bafana before Rafael Marquez, current assistant to Javier Aguirre levelled matters for the Mexicans as the match ended 1-1 in Johannesburg.
Mexico who for the first time since 1978 failed to get out of the group stages in Qatar 2022 will be desperate to make amends in front of their home support.
They will be confident coming into this game following CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Triumphs last July.
El-Tri are unbeaten in the last five outings with three straight victories versus Ghana, Australia and Serbia and two stalemates against Portugal and Belgium.
On the other hand, South Africa, who return to the global stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010 had a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations where they bowed out at the round of 16 early this year in Morocco.
Hugo Broos’ side are also winless in four friendly matches heading into this opening match.
They recorded a draw and a loss against Panama during March’s international break, before being held to a goalless stalemate by Nicaragua at the end of May and then drew 1-1 with Jamaica in their most recent trial match.
Team News and Key players
For Mexico, veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could become the first player to play in a sixth World Cup if he starts ahead of Raul Rangel in goal.
Aguirre has a big decision in the middle of the pack where youngster Gilberto Mora, aged 17 competes with Orbelin Pineda or Luis Chavez for a place.
Wolves new signing Raul Jiminez is expected to lead the line while captain Edson Alvarez has a chance to earn his 99th cap.
Julian Quinones who scored 33 goals in just 31 Saudi Pro League games for Al-Qadsiah to win the division’s Golden Boot for 2025-26 could however be the player to decide matches for Aguirre.
For Bafana Bafana, Aubrey Modiba has recovered from a hamstring that ruled him out of the CAF Champions League decisive leg and gives Broos options at left back.
Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha and Yaya Sithole are all set to link arms in a three-man midfield, with Broos likely to deploy a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation that allows Khuliso Mudau and Modiba to provide width as full-backs.
Upfront, Burnley striker Lyle Foster is likely to lead the line with Oswin Appollis who directly contributed to a team-high six goals in World Cup qualifying (two goals, four assists) in the supporting role.
Remains to be seen how Broos will utilize experienced Themba Zwane and youngster Lebohile Mofokeng.
Key Stats
- This will be the second meeting between the two nations at the world stage after the 2010 opener.
- Mexico are unbeaten in seven matches in their world cup campaigns since 1994 [W5, D2]
- South Africa will be chasing their first win over Mexico since a 2-1 success at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July 2005.
Elsewhere in Group A, South Korea and Czech Republic face off in wee hours of Friday at 5am [EAT]
How to watch
All the 104 matches will be broadcast on DStv, official broadcast partners of the Fifa World Cup
