The Mexico and South Africa national teams are set to commence their 2026 World Cup campaigns with a match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This encounter will mark the opening game for both sides in the tournament.
The fixture is scheduled for June 11, 2026, with kick-off times set for 14:00 EST and 20:00 GMT. This will not be the first time these two nations have opened a World Cup; they previously met in the inaugural match of the 2010 World Cup, which was hosted by South Africa.
Team Preparations and Expectations
Mexico, as a co-host of the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, did not participate in the qualification rounds. The team, currently ranked 15th by FIFA, will be looking for a strong start to their tournament on home soil.
Under the guidance of 67-year-old coach Javier Aguirre, who is in his third tenure as Mexico boss, the squad will rely on experienced players such as 34-year-old striker Raul Jimenez. Jimenez, who plays for Fulham, holds 125 caps for Mexico, making him the most capped active player for the national team. The team also features naturalised stars like Spain-born midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo and Colombia-born forward Julian Quinones.
South Africa, known as Bafana Bafana, secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in Group C of the CAF qualifiers. This marks their first World Cup appearance in 16 years since they hosted the tournament in 2010. The team is currently ranked 60th globally by FIFA.
Hugo Broos, the 74-year-old Belgian coach, has garnered significant support for leading Bafana Bafana to the 2023 AFCON semi-finals, where they finished third, and subsequently qualifying them for the World Cup. Broos has a history of success, including winning the AFCON title with Cameroon in 2017.
The Bafana Bafana squad primarily consists of locally-based players, with eight members from the recently crowned champions, Orlando Pirates. Key players include Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena, 21-year-old Orlando Pirates talent Relebohile Mofokeng, and 20-year-old USA-based defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Burnley striker Lyle Foster is expected to lead the attack.
Squad Details and Expert Commentary
The Mexico World Cup squad includes goalkeepers Raúl Rangel, Guillermo Ochoa, and Carlos Acevedo. Defenders feature Jorge Sanchez, Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, and Mateo Chavez. Midfielders are Erik Lira, Orbelin Pineda, Alvaro Fidalgo, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo, Edson Alvarez, Obed Vargas, Gilberto Mora, and Luis Chavez. The attacking options are Cesar Huerta, Alexis Vega, Julian Quinones, Guillermo Martinez, Armando Gonzalez, Santiago Gimenez, and Raul Jimenez.
For South Africa, the goalkeepers are Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, and Sipho Chaine. Defenders include Khuliso Mudau, Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ime Okon, Aubrey Modiba, Samukelo Kabini, Bradley Cross, Olwethu Makhanya, and Kamogelo Sebelebele, along with Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Midfielders are Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Thalente Mbatha, and Jayden Adams. The forward line consists of Lyle Foster, Themba Zwane, Iqraam Rayners, Thapelo Maseko, Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, and Tshepang Moremi.
Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has expressed confidence in the current squad’s ability to advance past the group stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Khune, who was part of the 2010 team that did not progress beyond the group stage, believes this generation has the potential to achieve what his team could not. He noted that the current team’s qualification through rigorous matches distinguishes them from the 2010 squad, which qualified automatically as hosts.
The match between Mexico and South Africa is scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026.
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