Mexico vs. South Africa: 2026 World Cup Preview, Match Time, and Where to Watch

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Mexico vs South Africa – preview, time and where to watch

The expanded 48‑team format of the FIFA World Cup officially begins on Thursday, with co‑hosts Mexico facing South Africa in the tournament’s opening match.

The encounter echoes the 2010 opening game, when the same two teams met in Johannesburg.

Mexico: Seeking Redemption on Historic Ground

Mexico becomes the first nation to host the men’s World Cup three times, after 1970 and 1986. Head coach Javier Aguirre, now in his third spell with El Tri, is under pressure to erase the memory of their disappointing group‑stage exit at Qatar 2022.

After a brief slump at the end of 2025, Mexico’s recent form has improved sharply. Aguirre’s side drew with European giants Portugal and Belgium before winning three consecutive matches against Ghana, Australia and Serbia – the latter ending in a 5‑1 victory. With a sell‑out crowd of more than 83,000, Mexico will look to build on their strong opening‑match record: they are unbeaten in their last seven opening World Cup games since 1994 (W5 D2).

South Africa: Bafana Bafana’s Return to the Big Stage

South Africa ends a 16‑year absence from the World Cup, returning for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 2010. Managed by veteran Belgian coach Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana secured qualification with a 3‑0 win over Rwanda to top their CAF group.

Entering the tournament as heavy underdogs in Group A, South Africa is looking for steady form. They are currently on a four‑match winless streak in friendlies, which included a narrow 1‑1 draw against Panama during an international break and a recent 1‑1 behind‑closed‑doors result with Jamaica. Facing a hostile atmosphere in Mexico City, Broos’s side will need a solid defensive performance to secure their first win over Mexico since the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.