Mexico Faces South Africa in 2026 World Cup Opener in Mexico City

The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens Thursday at Mexico City Stadium, where co-host Mexico faces South Africa at 3 p.m. ET in the first match of the biggest tournament in the event’s history.

For the first time, 48 teams will play a record 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, according to FIFA. The final takes place July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The tournament also breaks new ground before kickoff: all three host countries will stage linked opening ceremonies at the same time.

The Group A matchup flips the script on the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, when South Africa hosted the tournament. Sixteen years ago to the day, Siphiwe Tshabalala put the hosts ahead with a memorable strike before Rafael Marquez answered for Mexico. Marquez returns for Thursday’s match, this time as an assistant to Mexico coach Javier Aguirre.

“I haven’t experienced a greater thrill in 50 years of football.” — Javier Aguirre, Mexico coach

Aguirre said his players have grown together like a family. South Africa reached its fourth World Cup by finishing top of Group C in CAF qualifying under coach Hugo Broos. Left-back Aubrey Modiba is expected to be fit after recovering from a hamstring problem.

“Mexico are the strongest team in the group,” Broos said. He said his team will fight for every ball for the full 90 minutes. South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena said expectations are high and the team knows how much the match means to fans back home.

Mexico’s possible starting XI: Rangel; Gallardo, Vasquez, Montes, Reyes; Gutierrez, Lira, Fidalgo; Quinones, Alvarado, Jimenez. South Africa’s possible starting XI: Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole, Mbatha; Moremi, Foster, Appollis.

What’s Next

Group A also includes South Korea and Czechia, with both Mexico and South Africa set to face them in the remaining group-stage matches. The result of Thursday’s opener will shape the early race for the top spots in the group.