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The 2026 World Cup is about to get underway with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opener tonight.
FIFA’s 14th-ranked team will be buoyed by a home crowd in Mexico City, and expect them to start fast as they look to kick off the tournament in style.
Mexico have two tough games to come against Czechia and South Korea, so it is essential they pick up three points if they are to advance.
Catch up with all the team news right here on 101GreatGoals.
Mexico team news
Mexico starting XI: Rangel, Montes, Vasquez, Reyes, Gallardo, Lira, Fidalgo, Gutierrez, Jimenez, Quinones, Alvarado
Mexico substitutes: Acevedo, Ochoa, Sanchez, Alvarez, Chavez, Romo, Pineda, Vargas, Mora, Chavez, Vega, Gimenez, Gonzalez, Huerta, Martinez
South Africa team news
South Africa starting XI: Williams, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Mudau, Okon, Mokoena, Sithole, Adams, Foster, Rayners
South African substitutes: Chain, Goss, Matuludi, Damane, Cabin, Glory, Cross, Mbatha, Zwane, Appollis, Farmer, Mofokeng, Laughing, Bark, Breast
Where to watch Mexico v South Africa
The match is broadcast on ITV and STV in the UK, and can also be streamed on ITVX.
Check out where all the World Cup matches will be shown here.
Stats for Mexico v South Africa
- Mexico are unbeaten in their last seven opening matches at a World Cup, with five wins and two draws – the last time they tasted defeat in their opener was in 1994, when they lost 1-0 to Norway.
- None of South Africa’s nine matches at the World Cup have ended goalless – their two wins so far in the competition came against Slovenia in 2002 and France in 2010. The victory against Slovenia is also their only clean sheet in a World Cup match (1-0).
- Coach Javier Aguirre played for Mexico at the 1986 WC, starting all five matches and assisting Manuel Negrete’s volley against Bulgaria before being sent off in the quarter-final against West Germany.
Prediction
Home advantage, a feverish crowd and a better side all point towards an opening win for the co-hosts. Let’s let the football do the talking!
Prediction: Mexico 3-1 South Africa
