2026 WC Opener: Mexico Hosts South Africa at the Azteca

The official curtain of the 2026 World Cup opens on Thursday, June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Mexico, one leg of the triple hosting, welcomes back South Africa, the rival they faced 16 years ago in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup. In that match, South Africa took a 1-0 lead with Siphiwe Tshabalala's stunning goal, but Mexico drew level 1-1 with Rafael Márquez's strike in the 79th minute. The Azteca, expected to be packed with a full 80,000 spectators, is regarded as a temple in football history that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals.

Mexico arrived at the tournament in ideal tempo under Javier Aguirre. After winning the 2025 Gold Cup, El Tri drew with Portugal and Belgium in friendlies, then beat Ghana, Australia and Serbia to catch a winning run. Their last warm-up match in Toluca, where they defeated Serbia 5-1, was the clearest indication of how much the team's attacking power has grown. Mexico has not tasted defeat in World Cup openers since 1994 (5 wins, 2 draws). Statistics of 6 wins and 6 clean sheets in the last 8 matches also show the defensive discipline of Aguirre's squad.

The names taking the field for Mexico have largely been settled. The 40-year-old Guillermo Ochoa is in contention against Raul Rangel, who started in the March warm-up matches. If Ochoa is included in the starting eleven for this match, he will set a new landmark in football history as the first player to appear in six World Cups (Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will follow him in the tournament). Marcel Ruiz, who was injured in March, is the only name out of the squad; the vast majority of the remaining roster is healthy.

Mexico probable XI (4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1)

Goalkeeper: Ochoa (or Rangel)

Defence: J.Sánchez – C.Montes – J.Vásquez – J.Gallardo

Midfield: E.Álvarez (captain, approaching his 99th cap) – A.Fidalgo

Attack: A.Vega (left) – R.Alvarado (right) – R.Jiménez (centre)

Aguirre plans to use captain Edson Álvarez in a defensive midfield role in front of the defence; it is known the manager calls this trio the "safety triangle." R.Betis player Álvaro Fidalgo is the other foot of midfield. In the attacking trio Mexico's third all-time top scorer Raúl Jiménez will lead the line, with Alexis Vega (left) and Roberto Alvarado (right) on the wings.

South Africa, under Hugo Broos's leadership, goes to its 4th World Cup appearance. Lyle Foster, who spent the season at Burnley, is entrusted with the lone striker role. Foster faced criticism after repeatedly creating chances but failing to score in the March warm-up against Panama. The Belgian manager prefers a pragmatic, counter-attack-heavy playing style with the 4-2-3-1 formation against stronger opponents. Bafana Bafana scored in 9 of their last 11 matches; 6 matches saw goals at both ends. There are no players out of the squad due to injury; all choices are on Broos's table.

South Africa probable XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defence: Muadu – Okon – Makhanya – Modiba

Midfield: Sithole – Mokoena

Attacking band: Moremi – Zwane – Appollis

Striker: Foster

The match's local kick-off is 20:00 (Mexico CST). On the US East Coast 15:00 (ET), on the Pacific Coast 12:00 (PT). In the United Kingdom 18:00 (BST), in Central Europe 21:00 (CEST) and 22:00 Turkey time. The opening ceremony will begin 90 minutes before the match. Colombian J Balvin, four-time Grammy winner Shakira and South African singer Tyla will take the stage. Mexican fans filling the stands with 80,000 set out with the hope that their team will overcome the quarter-final barrier for the first time; this team's flag target is the furthest point the country can reach in World Cup history.

In Group A, the other teams in the tournament are South Korea and Czech Republic. Mexico keeping the window wide for group leadership is directly linked to collecting 3 points in the opening match. South Africa, on the other hand, aims to enter the group with high morale by leaving the match with points through a good defensive performance. The Azteca's high altitude (2,240 metres) will create an extra bodily challenge for Bafana Bafana in the second half of the match.

Image: extratimetalk.com