Mexico vs. South Africa Prediction, Odds, Spread, Line, Start Time: 2026 World Cup Picks
Mexico enters the opener under pressure after a 2022 group-stage exit and seeks to capitalize on home support at the 87,000-seat stadium.
- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, Mexico and South Africa kick off the 2026 World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, making it the first venue to host three World Cups.
- The game serves as a rematch of the 2010 opener in Johannesburg that ended in a 1-1 draw, while Mexico aims to replicate quarterfinal success achieved on home soil in 1970 and 1986.
- Mexico manager Javier Aguirre brings attacking options to the squad, seeking to improve upon the disappointing 2022 group-stage elimination that ended a 10-tournament advancement streak.
- The 2026 World Cup features 48 competing nations divided into 12 groups of four, with teams awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw in round-robin play.
- Advancement to the Round of 32 requires a top-two group finish alongside the eight best third-place squads, as USA TODAY reporters cover the tournament across three countries.
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It finally starts! Mexico meets South Africa in the World Cup opening match, we report live from 9 p.m. – see Ticker below. Here's the live ticker: With a victory in the opening game, co-host Mexico wants to spark the party mood in the country. "El Tri" goes against South Africa as a favorite in the first of 104 games of the World Cup in North America. More than 80,000 fans in the Aztec stadium of Mexico City would be anything but three points a…
Marietta Daily Journal
ugandanews.netMexico have history, pressure hosting South Africa in World Cup opener
Javier Aguirre knows exactly what awaits his Mexico side when it hosts the World Cup opener against South Africa on Thursday in Mexico City to kick off Group A.
Mexico opens the 2026 World Cup against South Africa, South Korea meets the Czech Republic at night. Not all games run on free-to-air TV. You can find all information about the two games here.
2026 World Cup opener: Mexico vs South Africa — Classic big dogs vs underdogs showdown at Azteca
Experts overwhelmingly expect 14th-ranked co-hosts Mexico to kick off their World Cup with a comfortable win and three points, though 60th-ranked South Africa are more than capable of making it a hard-fought affair.
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