FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group A
Match: Mexico vs South Africa
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group A
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Kick-Off: 8pm
TV/Streaming: RTÉ2 / RTÉ Player / ITV1 / STV / ITVX
Venue: Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca / Estadio Banorte)
Capacity: 87,523
Group A
Mexico, South Africa, Czechia and South Korea make up Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mexico and South Africa will kick off the tournament in what will be the first match of a 104-game World Cup. Coincidentally, the two nations also met in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup when South Africa were the host nation. That encounter ended in a 1-1 draw.
– 2026 FIFA World Cup Preview & Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Mexico Preview
As one of the tournament’s three co-hosts, Mexico will be eager to make a strong start on home soil. They currently sit 15th in the FIFA World Rankings.
An indifferent run between September and November 2025 saw El Tri record four draws and two defeats. However, their form has improved significantly in 2026, with Mexico unbeaten in eight matches, winning six and drawing two.
During that run, they have kept six clean sheets, with only Belgium and Serbia managing to score against them. Serbia opened the scoring in Mexico’s final warm-up match on June 5 before conceding five goals.
Mexico have scored 15 goals across those eight games, with ten different players finding the net, highlighting the strength and depth within Javier Aguirre’s squad. They arrive at the World Cup in excellent form and full of confidence.
Mexico World Cup History
Mexico have reached the World Cup quarter-finals twice, both times as hosts in 1970 and 1986. Their best chance of progressing further came in 1986 when they lost on penalties to eventual champions Germany.
Known as El Tricolor, or El Tri, Mexico will play their opening match at the iconic Mexico City Stadium, also known as Estadio Azteca or Estadio Banorte. With a capacity of 87,523, it is the eighth-largest football stadium in the world and is expected to generate an electric atmosphere for the tournament opener.
Players to Watch
Several familiar names feature in the Mexico squad. West Ham midfielder Edson Álvarez provides leadership and experience in the middle of the park, while former-Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez (who signed for Wolves a few days before the World Cup began) brings an impressive international record of 45 goals in 124 appearances. AC Milan forward Santiago Giménez is another player capable of making a major impact.
Teenager Gilberto Mora has been hailed as one of Mexico’s brightest prospects, although he is unlikely to be a regular starter at this World Cup. The youngster currently plays for Club Tijuana.
Other notable squad members include Johan Vásquez of Genoa, Mateo Chávez of AZ Alkmaar, Álvaro Fidalgo of Real Betis, Obed Vargas of Atlético Madrid, Luis Chávez of Dynamo Moscow and César Huerta of Anderlecht.
Manager
Javier Aguirre is enjoying his third spell as Mexico manager. He previously led the national team at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
Among coaches at the 2026 tournament, only France boss Didier Deschamps has managed more World Cups with the same nation than Aguirre.
South Africa Preview
South Africa are currently ranked 60th in the FIFA World Rankings and will be making their fourth World Cup appearance.
The last time they featured at a World Cup was when they hosted the tournament in 2010. Their opening match on that occasion also came against Mexico and ended in a 1-1 draw.
However, Bafana Bafana have never progressed beyond the group stage of a World Cup. They became the first host nation in World Cup history to fail to advance from the group stage, a feat later repeated by Qatar in 2022.
Manager
Belgian coach Hugo Broos has been in charge since May 2021.
Broos guided South Africa to the AFCON semi-finals in 2023 and previously won the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon in 2017. He has also won two Belgian league titles with Club Brugge.
South Africa topped their World Cup qualifying group despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player.
Recent Form
South Africa won two and lost two matches at the Africa Cup of Nations between December 2025 and January 2026.
Since then, results have been mixed. They suffered a 2-1 defeat to Panama before drawing 1-1 with the same opponents and then playing out a goalless draw against Nicaragua.
Players to Watch
With five goals in his last seven international starts, Oswin Apollis looks one of South Africa’s biggest attacking threats. The 24-year-old plays his club football for Orlando Pirates and will be expected to provide much of their attacking spark.
Burnley striker Lyle Foster, who has scored 10 goals in 25 international appearances, is another key figure. Hannover defender Ime Okon adds youthful promise, while experienced midfielder Themba Zwane remains an influential presence with 53 caps and 12 international goals.
Much of South Africa’s play flows through midfielder Teboho Mokoena, while 21-year-old attacker Relebohile Mofokeng is widely tipped as a future star. Meanwhile, 20-year-old defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi currently plays his club football with MLS side Chicago Fire.
South Africa are widely known by their nickname, Bafana Bafana.
Prediction
Home advantage could prove decisive and Mexico look well positioned to start the tournament with a victory.
Their defensive record, strong recent form and the atmosphere expected in Mexico City make them deserved favourites. South Africa have some talented players but have struggled for consistency in recent months.
Prediction: Mexico 2-0 South Africa (4/1)
Other Group A Fixture
The other Group A fixture sees Czechia face South Korea at 3am on Friday, June 12.
The match will be played at Estadio Guadalajara, also known as Estadio Akron, in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico.
– South Korea vs Czechia: TV Channel, Team News, Prediction & Betting Tips
