The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with a match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday. The Group A encounter will feel like déjà vu for fans of the two teams involved, as this fixture was also the opening match of the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa, which ended 1-1.
Mexico are in blistering form at the moment, coming into this game off the back of an impressive 5-1 demolition of Serbia on Friday.
Thanks for the submission!
Ironically, it was the Serbians who took the lead with a 19th-minute Petar Stanic goal before own goals from Stefan Bukinac and Adem Avdic, as well as strikes from Johan Vasquez, Raul Jimenez, and Luis Chavez, ensured El Tri left the pitch feeling invincible.
The nature of the win was particularly impressive, with Mexico managing 18 shots to three from the Serbians while keeping 69% of possession.
Meanwhile, South Africa have not enjoyed great form ahead of this opening match, and they are winless in their last five games, with two defeats and three draws.
In the last two weeks, Bafana Bafana drew 0-0 with Nicaragua in Johannesburg and 1-1 with Jamaica in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Mexico.
Lyle Foster was on the scoresheet against the Jamaicans, but coach Hugo Broos was not happy with his team’s performance, and Bafana will need to be more clinical if they are to trouble the Mexicans in the opening match.
The other two countries in Group A are Korea Republic and Czechia.
Mexico vs South Africa head-to-head stats and key numbers
- Mexico and South Africa have met four times, with El Tri securing two wins and Bafana winning once.
- Their most recent encounter, which was the opening match at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, ended in a 1-1 draw.
- On that occasion, a sublime second-half strike from Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scoring for SA, but captain Rafa Marquez pegged Bafana back and secured a draw with his 79th-minute goal for Mexico.
- This will be South Africa’s fourth appearance at a World Cup, while Mexico have qualified for the tournament 18 times.
Mexico vs South Africa prediction
As co-hosts, Mexico are under pressure to begin the tournament on a positive note and do well in front of their home fans, while the South Africans are playing in their first World Cup since 2010.
El Tri have fantastic attacking talent, and they will cause Bafana some problems at the back. They are likely to play a high-intensity game focused on dominating possession and using their speedy wingers to break down the South African defense.
Broos has instilled a focus on defensive discipline and organization within his side. Bafana will absorb pressure before looking to counterattack and exploit the space left behind by Mexico’s marauding full-backs.
With the Azteca set to provide a cauldron-like atmosphere, we expect a fired-up Mexico to claim an opening-match victory.
Prediction: Mexico 1-0 South Africa
Mexico vs South Africa betting tips
Tip 1: Mexico to win
Tip 2: Mexico to keep a clean sheet
Tip 3: Under 2.5 goals
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli