Mexico vs South Africa – Group A Showdown in Mexico City
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, featuring Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match of the tournament.
Match Overview
- Tournament Stage: Group A – Opening Match (Match No. 1)
- Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM local time (CST) / 3:00 PM ET / 19:00 GMT
- Venue: Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), Mexico City, Mexico
- Head Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
Historic Significance
This fixture marks a historic, nostalgic rematch of the 2010 World Cup opening game in Johannesburg, where the sides played out a memorable 1-1 draw. In an incredible twist of fate, Javier Aguirre serves as Mexico's manager for this exact fixture just as he did 16 years ago. Additionally, Estadio Azteca officially becomes the first stadium in soccer history to host matches across three different World Cups (1970, 1986, and 2026).
Where to Watch
The match is broadcast globally through several major sports networks and streaming services:
| Region | TV Channel | Streaming Options |
|---|---|---|
| United States | FOX, Telemundo | FOX Sports App, Fubo, Tubi, Peacock |
| Canada | CTV, TSN | TSN App, TSN.ca |
| United Kingdom | ITV 1, BBC One | ITVX, BBC iPlayer |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
Team Lineup & Form Notes
- Mexico ("El Tri"): Entering the tournament in good form after a dominant 5-1 friendly win over Serbia. Key veteran striker Raul Jimenez leads the frontline, while legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is rostered to participate in a record-breaking sixth World Cup campaign.
- South Africa ("Bafana Bafana"): Making their first World Cup appearance since 2010. Led by manager Hugo Broos, the underdogs aim to withstand Mexico's intense home-crowd pressure and altitude challenges (Mexico City sits roughly 7,300 feet above sea level).
Watch Mexico Vs South Africa LIVE!!
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