Mexico and South Africa kick off the 2026 World Cup at the Estadio Azteca, giving us a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener in South Africa.
After 16 years of opening the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a 1-1 draw, Mexico and South Africa are prepared to run the script again as they kick off the 2026 World Cup.
Kicking off @FIFAWorldCup 2026: Mexico vs South Africa 🇲🇽🇿🇦
Did you know? This fixture is a repeat of the 2010 tournament’s opening match 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ptBAXMLRXa
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 11, 2026
Preview
Mexico will be hosting the World Cup for the third time in history, a World Cup record. The Mexicans bypassed the qualification process as hosts and come into the World Cup ranked 14th in FIFA’s latest rankings.
In their final preparation for the World Cup, Mexico won all their games against Ghana, Austria, and Serbia. They will look to take the momentum and chemistry from those games into the World Cup, while hoping for a deep run as co-hosts.
South Africa topped a tough group in their run to the World Cup. Finishing above Nigeria, the Bafana Bafana reached the World Cup on the back of an impressive qualifying run. Although they have been quite underwhelming in their final preparations for the World Cup, they are a strong and very skilled group that could pose a huge problem for the Mexicans.
Many expect the opening game to embody the whole spirit of the World Cup, and Mexico and South Africa will do just that. The Mexicans are disciplined and play a very compact type of football, while South Africa play a samba-styled football that exudes flair and allows for individual brilliance.
The continent of Africa will be cheering South Africa on to victory against Mexico 🇲🇽🇿🇦
Mexico’s last five: WWWDD
South Africa’s last five: DLDLWSouth Africa head into today’s World Cup opener as the underdogs, and the African side will be looking to upset the hosts🍿⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Y8XU21zB20
— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) June 11, 2026
Just like in 2010, this opening game could give us some iconic moments, goals, and even celebrations.
Predicted XI
Mexico Predicted XI
Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Alvarez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Fidalgo, Pineda; Alvarado, Jimenez, Quinones
South Africa Predicted XI
Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Mbatha, Sithole, Mokoena; Appollis, Foster, Moremi
The big day has arrived! 🤩
Today, we make our debut in a new World Cup. 🏆 Today, we welcome the world to our home. 🌎
It’s #Matchday against South Africa. 🇿🇦#SomosMéxico 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/yP5qTjH0oZ
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 11, 2026
