Preview Mexico vs South Africa

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match, Mexico vs. South Africa, begins at 20:00 [GMT] on Thursday, June 11, at Mexico City Stadium. Wilton Sampaio [BRA] will be the referee for this match, while Nicolás Gallo [COL] will be the VAR.

Co-host Mexico will have the honour of kicking off the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil as they face South Africa in a historic opening fixture that mirrors the tournament opener from 2010. Sixteen years ago, the two nations played out a memorable 1-1 draw in Johannesburg, and both will be hoping for a more decisive start this time around. For the Mexicans, expectations are high. While El Tri hold the unwanted record of playing more World Cup matches than any nation without ever lifting the trophy, they enter this tournament as favourites to top Group A. Their recent form [DDWWW] suggests Javier Aguirre's side are well equipped to justify that billing, arriving unbeaten in their last eight matches [6W, 2D, 0L]. Even more encouraging is their record in World Cup openers, having avoided defeat in each of their last seven tournament curtain-raisers [5W, 2D, 0L] since 1994. Playing at the iconic Estadio Azteca should provide an additional boost, with Mexico unbeaten in all seven World Cup matches played at the famous venue [5W, 2D, 0L]. There is, however, a note of caution. Although El Tricolor won the first two meetings between these nations, they have failed to beat South Africa in either of the last two encounters [0W, 1D, 1L]. Meanwhile, Johan Vásquez could be a surprise danger man after scoring three goals across his last three appearances for club and country. A 4—3—3 formation is expected with Raúl Jiménez, Roberto Alvarado and Julián Quiñones in attack against Bafana Bafana.

South Africa, meanwhile, are appearing at their fourth World Cup and their first since hosting the competition in 2010. Hugo Broos' men arrive with ambitions of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history, though recent form leaves room for concern. Bafana Bafana have failed to win any of their last five matches [LDLDD], a stark contrast to the consistency they showed during qualification. Much of their attacking responsibility could fall on Oswin Appollis, who was directly involved in six goals during qualifying [2G, 4A], twice as many as any of his teammates. Lyle Foster may be seen at the attacking end of a 3—4—2—1 pattern against El Tri. With both sides reporting no injury concerns following their final warm-up fixtures, the stage is set for an intriguing opener.