- 2026 FIFA World Cup: Mexico Ready Spotlight as South Africa Clash Revives Memories of 2010
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins with a familiar storyline as Mexico and South Africa meet in Thursday’s opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca, 16 years after their memorable draw in Johannesburg opened the 2010 tournament.
Back then, Siphiwe Tshabalala’s thunderous strike lit up Soccer City before Rafael Marquez rescued a 1-1 draw for Mexico in one of the most unforgettable World Cup openers in modern history. Now, the rivalry returns with the roles reversed — Mexico are the hosts, while South Africa arrive determined to make a statement on their return to football’s biggest stage.
The clash will officially launch the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup and the expanded tournament’s 104-match schedule across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
For Mexico, history is already being made before a ball is kicked. El Tri have become the first nation to host the men’s FIFA World Cup on three occasions after previously staging the tournament in 1970 and 1986.
Veteran coach Javier Aguirre is leading the national team into another World Cup campaign and hopes to guide the hosts beyond the disappointment of Qatar 2022, where Mexico failed to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 1978.
The Mexicans come into the tournament in improving form after recent victories over Ghana, Australia and Serbia. They are unbeaten in their last seven World Cup opening matches dating back to 1994 and will be backed by more than 80,000 fans inside the Azteca.
Experienced goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could also make history if selected, with the 40-year-old aiming to become the first footballer to feature at six FIFA World Cups.
Mexico’s attack is expected to be led by veteran striker Raul Jimenez alongside Julian Quinones and Roberto Alvarado, while captain Edson Alvarez anchors the defence.
South Africa’s appearance marks their first World Cup campaign since hosting the tournament in 2010 and only their fourth participation overall.
Coach Hugo Broos guided Bafana Bafana through a dramatic qualification campaign, with the side sealing their place after a decisive victory over Rwanda and favourable results elsewhere in CAF qualifying.
Although South Africa enter the tournament ranked outside the world’s top 50, there is growing belief that the team can surprise opponents with its disciplined structure and pace on the counterattack.
The squad features several exciting players, including Burnley forward Lyle Foster and Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis, who contributed heavily during qualifying.
Broos is expected to rely on a compact midfield led by Teboho Mokoena while hoping his side can absorb pressure in one of the most intimidating stadium atmospheres in world football.
South Africa become only the third African nation to play in a World Cup opening match after Cameroon and Senegal famously shocked defending champions in previous tournaments.
Cameroon stunned Diego Maradona’s Argentina 1-0 in the opening game of the 1990 World Cup, while Senegal defeated holders France by the same scoreline in 2002.
Both African nations eventually reached the quarterfinals, offering hope that South Africa could also make an impact this summer.
Thursday’s encounter will be the 23rd opening match in FIFA World Cup history. The tradition dates back to 1930 when France defeated Mexico 4-1 in Montevideo.
Mexico have featured in more opening matches than any other nation, while South Africa’s only previous opener came in 2010.
Recent opening match results include:
2006: Germany 4-2 Costa Rica
2010: South Africa 1-1 Mexico
2014: Brazil 3-1 Croatia
2018: Russia 5-0 Saudi Arabia
2022: Ecuador 2-0 Qatar
Predicted line-ups
Mexico:
Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Alvarez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Fidalgo, Pineda; Alvarado, Jimenez, Quinones.
South Africa:
Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Mbatha, Sithole, Mokoena; Appollis, Foster, Moremi.
