Mexico Vs South Africa: FIFA World Cup 2026 curtain-raiser preview and team news
By Joel Masibo, June 10, 2026The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins on Thursday evening, June 11, 2026, with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening Group A encounter at the iconic Mexico City Stadium.
The match launches a historic tournament featuring 48 nations and 104 matches, marking the beginning of a new era for football’s biggest competition. It also rekindles memories of the 2010 World Cup opener, when South Africa and Mexico played out a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg after Siphiwe Tshabalala’s famous strike was cancelled out by Rafael Marquez.
Mexico eye strong start on home soil
Mexico have already secured a place in football history by becoming the first country to host the men’s World Cup on three occasions, having previously staged the tournament in 1970 and 1986 before sharing hosting duties in 2026 with the United States and Canada.
Veteran coach Javier Aguirre is preparing for his third World Cup campaign in charge of El Tri across different spells as national team manager. Since returning to the role in 2024, Aguirre has focused on rebuilding a side eager to erase the disappointment of Qatar 2022, where Mexico exited in the group stage for the first time since 1978.
Currently ranked 14th in the FIFA world rankings, Mexico qualified automatically as hosts and avoided the demanding CONCACAF qualification process. Their recent years have included triumphs in both the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup, although they struggled after those successes, finishing 2025 without a victory in their final six friendly matches.
Results have improved considerably in 2026. Mexico earned respectable draws against Portugal and Belgium before recording consecutive victories over Ghana, Australia and Serbia. Their confidence received another boost with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Serbia in Toluca last week.
El Tri also carry an impressive record into the tournament, having avoided defeat in their last seven World Cup opening matches since 1994. Backed by more than 80,000 supporters in Mexico City, they will be determined to claim three points before facing South Korea and the Czech Republic later in the group stage.
South Africa’s return to global stage
South Africa are making their first World Cup appearance since hosting the tournament in 2010. It will be their fourth participation overall after missing qualification for the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions.
Bafana Bafana secured their place in dramatic fashion during the CAF qualifying campaign. A 3-0 victory over Rwanda in their final qualifier, combined with Nigeria’s 4-0 win against Benin, enabled them to finish atop their group with 18 points from 10 matches despite a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
Under Belgian tactician Hugo Broos, who has been in charge since 2021, South Africa arrive at the tournament ranked 60th in the world and are not widely expected to progress from Group A.
Their preparations have been less convincing. Since reaching the Africa Cup of Nations knockout rounds earlier this year, South Africa have struggled for victories in friendly matches. They recorded a draw and a defeat against Panama, were held by Nicaragua, and recently shared a 1-1 result with Jamaica in a closed-door warm-up game after initial reports incorrectly suggested they had won.
Broos expressed disappointment with his side’s display against Jamaica and indicated that a detailed review would be conducted before the World Cup opener.
Team news
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could make history this summer by appearing in a sixth World Cup. However, he faces competition from Raul Rangel for the starting position.
Captain Edson Alvarez is expected to marshal the defence alongside Cesar Montes, while Aguirre must decide whether teenage sensation Gilberto Mora starts in midfield or whether experience is preferred through Orbelin Pineda or Luis Chavez.
In attack, Raul Jimenez is closing in on a significant milestone. One goal against South Africa would move him level with Jared Borgetti as Mexico’s second-highest scorer of all time with 46 international goals. Roberto Alvarado and Julian Quinones are expected to support him, with Quinones arriving in excellent form after finishing as the Saudi Pro League’s leading scorer.
For South Africa, Aubrey Modiba has recovered from a hamstring issue and is available for selection. Defensive prospects Ime Okon and Mbekezeli Mbokazi could feature centrally, while Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha and Yaya Sithole are expected to form the midfield core.
Oswin Appollis, who contributed six goals during qualifying through goals and assists, will likely play a key attacking role alongside Burnley forward Lyle Foster.
Probable lineups
Mexico: Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Alvarez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Fidalgo, Pineda; Alvarado, Jimenez, Quinones.
South Africa: Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Mbatha, Sithole, Mokoena; Appollis, Foster, Moremi.