2026 World Cup: Mexico vs South Africa – preview, time and where to watch

Vanguard Nigeria about 2 hours 2 mins read

The expanded 48-team era officially begins on Thursday as co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The fixture offers a highly nostalgic throwback to 2010, when the same two nations clashed in the tournament’s memorable opening game in Johannesburg.

Mexico: Seeking Redemption on Historic Ground

Mexico makes history before kicking a single ball, becoming the first nation to host the men’s World Cup three separate times (following 1970 and 1986). Head coach Javier Aguirre, now in his third stint leading El Tri, faces massive pressure to wipe away the memories of their disappointing group-stage exit at Qatar 2022.

Though Mexico suffered a bit of a slump at the end of 2025, their recent form has drastically spiked. Aguirre’s side held European giants Portugal and Belgium to draws before orchestrating a three-match winning run against Ghana, Australia, and Serbia—the latter being a dominant 5-1 thrashing. Backed by a sell-out crowd of over 83,000 fans, Mexico will look to lean into their phenomenal historical record: they are unbeaten in their last seven opening World Cup matches dating back to 1994 (W5 D2).

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

South Africa ends a 16-year World Cup absence, returning to the global showpiece for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 2010. Managed by veteran Belgian boss Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana clawed their way through a dramatic CAF qualification campaign, sealing their spot with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda to top their group.

Entering the tournament as heavy Group A underdogs, South Africa is searching for consistent form. They are currently on a four-match winless streak in friendly matches, which included a tight international break against Panama and a recent 1-1 behind-closed-doors draw against Jamaica. Facing a hostile atmosphere in Mexico City, Broos’s side will need a flawless defensive performance if they want to capture their first win over Mexico since the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.