The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday evening, featuring co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa in Group A’s inaugural match at the renowned Estadio Azteca. This encounter opens a significant tournament with 48 teams and 104 matches, echoing the memorable 1-1 draw between South Africa and Mexico that marked the opening of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg.
Mexico enters the competition with the support of fervent home fans, aiming to make history as the first nation to host the men’s World Cup three times, following its previous tournaments in 1970 and 1986.
Javier Aguirre, Mexico’s head coach, is at the helm for his third World Cup, looking to guide El Tri past the setbacks experienced in 2022 when they failed to progress to the knockout stages for the first time in over 40 years. After a challenging conclusion to 2025, Mexico has regained momentum in 2026, securing impressive results against formidable teams and successfully defeating Ghana, Australia, and Serbia, including a dominant 5-1 victory in their last warm-up match.
This marks South Africa’s return to the World Cup stage for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 2010. Under the direction of Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana qualified through a tense CAF campaign, arriving in North America determined to leave a mark despite being seen as underdogs.
Victories against Zimbabwe and Angola have bolstered their confidence, with a 1-1 draw versus Jamaica serving as their final preparation before the tournament. The team’s official X channel has been instrumental in generating excitement among fans, who are increasingly hopeful as they await their long-anticipated World Cup return.
Team News
Mexico faces a significant decision regarding their goalkeeper, as veteran Guillermo Ochoa aims to appear in his sixth World Cup, though Raul Rangel is making a strong case for the starting position. Captain Edson Alvarez is anticipated to lead the defence, while young talent Gilberto Mora is competing for a midfield role. Up front, Raul Jimenez and Julian Quinones are expected to spearhead the attack.
For South Africa, Aubrey Modiba may return from injury, while Teboho Mokoena is poised to take on a critical role in midfield. In the attack, Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster are expected to provide much of the offensive threat.
Possible Lineups
Mexico possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Alvarez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Fidalgo, Pineda; Alvarado, Jimenez, Quinones
South Africa possible starting lineup:
Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Mbatha, Sithole, Mokoena; Appollis, Foster, Moremi
How to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport |
| Live Stream | DSTVStream App |
| Kick-off Time | 20:00 (WAT) |
Match Prediction
Softfootball predicts Mexico 2-1 South Africa
Favorable factors for Mexico include their experience, the home advantage, and recent strong performances, making them the favorites in this opening match. However, South Africa has shown resilience under Broos and possesses the necessary speed to counter-attack effectively. The vibrant atmosphere of a full Estadio Azteca could play a crucial role in the game’s outcome.
