Mexico 2 vs 0 South Africa live online: Score, stats, goals and updates | 2026 World Cup Group A

It was a night that went just about according to script for Mexico. The festivities leading up to the game were fantastic, and once the game got going El Tri looked like a team that was ready to take this World Cup seriously. They came out from the start and imposed themselves and might feel they could have added a few goals to the 2-0 scoreline. They will enjoy this win, but want to win this group and to do that they are going to have to be perfect in the group stage. They place South Korea next Thursday from Guadalajara. 

The only sour moment in an otherwise perfect afternoon from Estadio Ciudad de Mexico was when their captain Cesar Montes was sent off in the final minutes of the match. There was really no need for such a strong challenge in that position but he lunged in and was shown a red card. That is a tough blow but Mexico are planning on being in the knockout rounds and will be expecting them back. 

South Africa had to play the final few minutes with 9 men after a strange play in which Themba Zwane seemed to go after Alvarado not once but twice. There was a VAR review and the 36 year old was sent his marching orders and is unlikely to play another game in this tournament. 

With a man advantage for most of the second half it was only a matter of time until Mexico doubled their lead. Alvarado put in a fantastic ball to the back post for Raul Jimenez and the Mexico No. 9 made no mistake for his first goal of his World Cup career. It took him four World Cups to get his first but let's see if that breaks the seal for the man they call Raul. 

The 17 year old, Gilberto Mora, who is the youngest player at this World Cup and one of the youngest in World Cup history came in to the match right before the second goal fo the game and he was there to help close out the match in the final half hour. 

Mexico were in control the entire time, and really only allowed a couple of long range shots on the goal of their keeper Rangle but it took them going up a man right around the 50 minute mark. Yaya Sithole was left alone to chase after Brian Gutierrez who was in on goal and took him down right outside the area. He was shown a direct red and South America were left with 10 for the final 40 minutes. 

Jimenez got another look at goal at the end of the first half but Williams was there again. Mexico went into half probably thinking they should have been up by two or three goals, but they continued to attack after the break and got the goal that would sink South Africa. 

Other than the terrible mistake in the back from South Africa, it was a pretty steady first half for them. They bent but didn't break throughout most of the first half in large part due Rownen Williams. He made a couple of massive saves to keep his team in the game but self inflicted mistakes were the downfall of the Bafana Bafana. 

Julian Quinones opened up his account, got the game's first goal and scored the first goal of the World Cup after a dreadful mistake in the back from South Africa. He was there to jump on to a loose ball and slotted it past Williams who had a good day despite allowing a couple of Mexico goals. Quinones was the Man of the Match after the game, and it was well deserved after being involved in almost everything good that El Tri did. 

The first chance of the match came from the home side after starting the afternoon on the front foot from the very first whistle. Raul Jimenez had a great opportunity to get his first World Cup goal in the opening minutes but he was stifled by Ronwen Williams. He would get a few more chances and finally get his goal later in the match. 

The World Cup has commenced and the co-host Mexico will have plenty to celebrate after starting their campaign off with a resounding 2-0 win over South Africa. There were Fan Fests, and pregame concerts and spectacles, but once the ball started to roll Mexico showed that they mean business in the opening match of Group A. 

IT'S ALL OVER!!!!

Mexico take the opening match of the World Cup with a 2-0 scoreline that doesn't exactly paint the picture of the co-hosts dominance. 

Vega to the corner after getting in behind the defense but his ball was nodded out of danger in what will probably be the final charge up the pitch. 

South Africa try a back heel into the path of Mbokazi and that was almost taken on the counter for Mexico. They were lucky there after wasting an opportunity to get on the board. 

RED CARD!!!!

Montes is sent off after chopping Mudau down right out side the area, and it looked like a harsh decision after replay. He was the last man although Mudau was on the right side of the box. Free kick to come for South Africa in a dangerous position. 

Can Mexico sweeten this opener a little more with a third goal? They have been close but have been a bit unlucky with a lot of their chances. 

Seven minutes of stoppage time here from Ciudad de Mexico. 

Zwane becomes the second South Africa player to be sent off today after a double aggression on Alvarado. Nothing has gone right for the Bafana Bafana in this opener and a couple of their players may have just seen their last action of this World Cup. 

Five more minutes in the 90 from Mexico City. 

RED CARD!!!

An action off the ball that wasn't seen at first was reviewed by the ref at the VAR, and it's Zwane being sent off after he tackled Alvarado out of the sight of the referee. 

Brutal night for the Bafana Bafana here from Ciudad de Mexico. 

Shot by Appollis had the sting taken out of it and it was easily saved by Rangel who has had very little to do other than save a couple long distance efforts from South Africa. 

Quinones out for Alexis Vega and the first goal scorer of the tournament comes off to a massive ovation. 

Mexico don't have to press too much the rest of the way, but up a man and with a comfortable lead don't be surprised if they go at goal one or two more times in the final 12 minutes. 

Alvaraez and Gonzalez in for Jimenez and Lira. Modiba and Rayners out for Appolis and Makgopa for South Africa.

Jimenez goes down in the box after looking to get on the end of the pass into the area. Sibsi cut in front of his and Jimenez went to ground. After a quick VAR review any petitions for a penalty were quickly quieted. 

Raul Jimenez with his first World Cup goal and that should just about do it with South Africa down a man. 

We went to hydration break right after the goal and right before the goal Mora and Chavez came into the game for Mexico in exchange for Fidalgo and Gutierrez. 

It was only a matter of time before the man advantage would be pounced on and it was a brilliant build up that started from Jimenez and ended with Jimenez. 

There wasn´t much Sithole could do after being left to chase Gutierrez from behind. A red was shown and Mexico found themselves up a man with a half hour to go. 

There are just a few rain drops that can be seen on the jacket of Javier Aguirre but it shouldn't be that much of a problem, or at least not as much as we saw from Orlando last night in the England Costa Rica friendly. 

Zwane coming in and Adams is coming out for South Africa. That is an attacking change from South Africa who know they have to pick and choose their chances to push up in this final half hour. 

Quinones on the left side and he was looking for Alvarado on the back post but that cross was just a little too far out in front of the No. 25. 

That ball into the mix needed a couple of different clearance from South Africa who still have the goal of keeping this a one goal game until late. 

Free kick for Mexico on the right side of the area. 

Foster out and Mbatha comes in as a result of that red card. They need a bit more structure in the back and will have to sacrifice their No. 9. 

Modiba with another ambitious attempt from 30 yards out and that was seen all the way by Rangel. Why not take any shot that presents itself if you are South Africa. 

The red card will certainly tip the scales in favor of the home team for the rest of the way, but that doesn't change the fact that South Africa have looked most dangerous on the break. 

Well it's unfortunate for Sithole isn't it. His World Cup could well be done after seeing a direct red. He was just trying to get in the way of Gutierrez but it all went wrong for South Africa who are down a man the rest of the way. 

Jimenez drives it into the wall and Gallarado sent the rebound high, wide and not so handsome. 

Free kick from right outside the area for Mexico. 

RED CARD!!!

Gutierrez is played in with a brilliant ball. He took a touch behind the defender and Sithole takes him down as the last defender right outside the area!

South Africa will play with a man down for the final 40 minutes. 

Not a bad ball from the right side for Foster through the defense but Vasquez did just get a piece of that pass. 

Quinones with a nutmeg in the middle of the park and peaked his head up before taking a long range shot from just over midfield. Williams was on top of that shot that Quinones hoped took the keeper by surprise. 

South Africa can't afford to make any of those mistakes if they expect to be in this match until the end. 

Another bad mistake in the back with a ball that finds Fidalgo who couldn't do much with it but Gutierrez tried a shot from outside the area and that goes sailing wide. 

You would say that Mexico look the most likely to get the next goal and essentially put this game to rest but there were signs of life from South Africa at the end of the first 45. 

WE ARE BACK FROM CIUDAD DE MEXICO FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!

The players are coming out of the tunnel and we are just about to get set for the second half of action. So far we haven't seen any of the new rules in play. There have been no injuries or substitutions that could cost a team to go down a man for a moment, but let's keep an eye on that in the second 45. 

Chicago is in full party mode watching the first game of the World Cup. This was the scene after the early goal from Quinones

South Africa should be thankful for their keeper Ronwen Williams. Without him they would be in some serious trouble. Remember this match to open up the 2010 World Cup started with a goal from the hosts and then Mexico equalized late. As long as this is a one goal match South Africa will think they have a chance. 

When you see the chances that Mexico created in the first half, you would think they should be up by a goal or two more. This game is still very much in the balance and South Africa will certainly not mind that. 

Quinones has been the best of the bunch for Mexico. Not just creating chances himself but setting some of his teammates up and taking charge in the attacking third. 

Julian Quinones had a brilliant first half, and before the 10 minute mark found his name on the scoresheet. It was really poor from South Africa in the back and Quinones pounced on the loose ball, took a touch and buried it for the opener. 

The co-host came out intent on setting the tone in front of their home fans. Mexico came out swinging in the early minutes and Jimenez almost got his first World Cup goal with this half volley that was saved by Williams. 

WE ARE HEADED TO THE HALFTIME BREAK FROM CIUDAD DE MEXICO!!!

Quinones with another bit of brilliance, taking a touch into the middle of the park, opening up space for Gutierrez who he led with just the right amount of weight. Gutierrez had a chance to put it on goal but looked like he barley brushed that one touch shot with the outside of his foot. 

Modiba pushing up and he thought he won a corner, and the replay would have suggested that but the ref gave a goal kick. 

Mexico will feel like they the scoreless is a little unjust heading into the break while South Africa will know this game is very much in the balance if it goes 1-1 to halftime. 

FOUR MORE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME IN THE FIRST HALF!

Hopeful effort from Mbokazi who hit it from distance. Did a good job hitting the target but that was catching practice for Rangel. 

Corner kick to come right before the halftime break for South Africa. 

Quinones was so close to his second of the day. Gutierrez held it up in the area and laid it off to the goal scorer and he banged it off the right post from the top of the area. Really dangerous, Quinones, so far. 

Fidalgo with a peach of a pass over the top and right on to the head of Jimenez who directed it goalward but it was saved by Williams. 

Good bit of build up in the middle of the park through Quinones but Gutierrez's slicing pass to Jimenez was just cut out by the last defender. 

Lira taken down in the center circle and the pace of this match has certainly died down over the last few minutes. Mexico won't mind that too much but they would love to double the lead to take a bit of insurance in to the second half. 

First half chance for South Africa and it's Foster nodding a ball ball from Adams off target. It's not much but it will give South Africa some confidence pushing forward. 

Mexico are looking to slow things a little at the moment. They know that if they run too much that will open up South Africa's chances at hitting them on the counter. 

Gallardo runs on to a pass towards the end line from Quinones and sent the ball into the mix but Williams stuck out a strong hand and was able to wrap it up. 

South Africa is knocking the ball around the back, and looking for the long ball forward. Not much in terms of build up play with the midfielders. Let's see if they might just catch one of these very aggressive Mexican right and left backs out of position. 

South Africa must be ruing that early mistake that led to the Mexico goal. They haven't been playing great, but aside from the mistake they really haven't looked under a tremendous amount of pressure. 

Quinons plays a ball into the area for Gutierrez who ran on to it but had his shot blocked away by Sibsi. 

Really only one or two chances for Mexico but they were efficient in their looks at goal. 

We are back in play after a quick break and let's see how the teams come out and close out the first half. 

WE ARE AT THE COOLING BREAK HERE FROM CIUDAD DE MEXICO.

World Cup 2026

Who is Julián Quiñones? World Cup star who outscored Cristiano Ronaldo

Who is Julian Quinones you might ask? He doesn't play in any of the big European leagues so you may not have heard of him if you don't pay attention to soccer in the Middle East. 

First free kick for South Africa in a dangerous area, and it's not a bad ball in from Mudau but Mexico deal with it at the top of the area. 

Long ball from the defensive half put in by Modiba and that looked like an easy take for the keeper Rangel but he made a mess of it. It bounced off his hands and nearly presented a chance for the Bafana Bafana. 

Alvarado looking for Jimenez with a ball swung in from the right side but Okon was there to nod it away. 

So far Mexico are looking really sound defensively. No real danger has been posed by South Africa, and El Tri won't mind that one bit. 

Quinones takes a touch with his back to the goal, turned and put a shot from distance just wide of the top corner!

First yellow card shown for Mokoena. Everything is going to be a first of the World Cup and the South African pays the price after a late challenge in the middle of the pitch. 

The early goal will just easy any pressure or nerves that Mexico might have come into this match with. If they get another before half, the fans will start to let loose and this really will become a fiesta in Mexico City. 

It's Julian Quinones with the first goal of the World Cup. Mexico jumped on a mistake in the back from South Africa and put the first goal of the afternoon up before the 10th minute. 

Jimenez did just find some space to get on the end of the cross but he might have jumped a bit early as that header came off the top of his forehead and went skyward. 

Jimenez hustling to force a corner in the far end of the pitch. 

Mexico haven't lost in this stadium since 2018. That's eight matches than they haven't lost at Ciudad de Mexico. The job just got a whole lot tougher for the Bafana Bafana. 

It was a terrible ball from the back that left Sithole with nothing to do. He could have done better but the high pressure from Mexico punishes South Africa. 

Gallardo driving to the end line and it looked like he earned a corner but the ref pointed for a goal kick which didn't please the fans in the slightest. 

South Africa tried to hit the Mexicans on the counter after a wayward corner and the Bafana Bafana just showing that they possess a bit of potency on the break. 

Reyes on the overlap and he sends a ball into Jimenez who hit it perfectly off the hop and Williams makes an early save. 

Alvarado might have taken that shot on from about 40 yards out. Awfully ambitious, and maybe the fans aren't the only ones that are a little excited. 

Early free kick for Mexico in the middle of the park, and a chance to put some bodies in the area hoping to get on the end of a ball into the box. 

Remember, we are over 2.000 meters above sea level here. Early minutes should be ok but as this game goes on that will take it's toll. 

The Ole's are ringing out here in the first minute. That is usually reserved for when a team is up big late, but with the excitement around the stadium, we can excuse that break in tradition. 

Mexico kick off the World Cup, and you have to expect them to have the majority of the chances, but possession may not be too one sided. This is a very direct team and they aren't known as a possession team. 

THE WORLD CUP IS UNDERWAY FROM MEXICO CITY!!! GAME 1 OF 104 BEGINS RIGHT NOW. 

Can not even lie I just got chills knowing the next six weeks are going to be incredible. 

There are thousands of sombereros raining down across the stadium as fans all over are welcoming in this highly anticipated match in a very traditional way here from Mexico City. 

Run of form

Remember that these two teams couldn't be coming in to this first match of the World Cup in more contrasting form. Mexico is undefeated with six wins and two draws in their last eight while South Africa haven't won a game in their last five. Three draws and two losses for the Bafana Bafana since their last win against Zimbabwe in December. 

Introductions 

The players are on the pitch, lined up and the national anthems are being cued up by the PA announcer here at the Estadio Ciudad de Mexico

The ceremony on the pitch has started and the flags of each of the countries in this World Cup 2026 have been presented to the fans here at Estadio Ciudad de Mexico. 

WG on the scene

The Mexico team has been in the Estadio Ciudad de Mexico for quite some time, but our man on the scene, William Gittens was there to capture this historic moment right outside the stadium. The fans are growing in anticipation as kickoff nears. 

Legendary winners in Mexico World Cups

I understand that this World Cup isn't being played only in Mexico. There are three countries that will play host to the 2026 World Cup, but quite a bit of these matches will be played south of the border, and when the World Cup is played in Mexico, legends of the game usually win the World Cup. The first one, in 1970, was won by Pele and Brazil. The second in 1986 was won by Diego Maradonna and Argentina. There are a couple that are looking to end their career in the same conversation as those two. Will Mbappe, Ronaldo, Messi or Vinicius lead their teams to glory and join Pele and Maradonna?

No Memo

There was a bit of speculation that perhaps Memo Ochoa was going to be in goal for this opening match. He is certainly not the number one, but it could have been a bit ceremonious. Instead, coach Aguirre isn't taking any chances to start the campaign. 

The other game

We are all over this match that will kick the marathon of soccer over most of the summer, but don't forget there is more action to come later tonight. The other game in this group will kick off at 10 p.m. ET when Korea and Czechia will meet to start their tournament campaign. 

Los Angeles Azules opened up the festivities to this World Cup pre game celebration. The clock is ticking. The players are out on the pitch and this is actually happening. The World Cup is just a half hour from starting. 

Aguirre going after Bafana Bafana

This is how the Mexico XI looks like. It's attacking with three up top. Watch out for Gallardo, he is a bit unknown if you don't watch much Liga MX, but this left back loves to push up and support his midfielders and forwards with overlapping runs and balls into the area. 

South Africa XI

The Bafana Bafana have their XI set for this World Cup opener. In goal they are going with Williams behind a back five of Mudau, Okon, Sibisi, Mbokazi and Modiba. Adam, Sithole and Mokoena will be sitting in the middle with Rayners and Foster up top. How much will they be able to do against a Mexico side that has allowed just two goals in their last eight matches?

One hour til kick off!

The fiesta of futbol started long ago as the Mexican fans flooded the Fan Fest hours before scheduled kickoff. They call it the previa or the precopa in Mexico, and the drinks and food will be flowing until the game starts in an hour's time. 

Mexico's XI

We have our first starting XI of the World Cup that has been published. Javier Aguirre is going with Reyes. Montes, Vazquez and Gallardo in the back. In the middle it's Lira, Fidalgo, Gutierrez and Alvarado and Quinones and Jimenez up top. It's the expected XI, and one that should provide plenty of attacking opportunity as the back four look to keep locking down in the defensive third. 

Awaiting the XI's

Any moment now the XIs from each side should be coming out. Will Aguirre go with his three musketeers up top? Will he look for a bit more of a defensive eleven? Could we maybe just maybe see a surprise appearance in goal from Memo Ochoa? I heard some Mexican experts pondering the idea in the last game, considering that South Africa isn't figured to test the keeper to early or often tonight. 

Unforgettable opener in 2010

We all remember the goal from the opening match of the 2010 World Cup. Tshabalala's goal. Peter Drury's call. The Bafana Bafana's celebration and fufuzelas in the back ground. It was an unforgettable moment that made World Cup history and the sound bite is almost as famous as the goal. British commentator Peter Drury has said that is one of his favorite if not his favortie moments and matches he has ever called. 

World Cup 2026

FIFA reveals the World Cup’s Golden Ball, Golden Boot and Golden Glove trophies for 2026

They are considered the secondary trophies after the real prize that each player comes into this week dreaming about. The World Cup is the ultimate goal, but a Golden Boot or a Golden Glove can chance a players life forever. It doesn't just make a nice ornament over the fire place. Being awarded either one puts you on a legendary list of some of the game's greats. 

The stage is set

Is there a more fitting place for this team to play a World Cup opener hosted on their home soil? Estadio Ciudad de Mexico will be a cauldron today as South Africa visits town hoping to steal at least a point. This might be the best Mexico has looked going into a World Cup, and that should give their home fans a lot to look forward to over the next month or so. 

World Cup 2026

Ahead of kick-off, tickets for Mexico vs. South Africa opener surge in price

If you are in the Mexico City area, and don't have tickets to this World Cup opener apparently there are some left, but the prices are soaring as each minute passes and we near kickoff. Our Paul Reidy has more. 

Odds to win it all

When talking about favorites to win the World Cup, neither of these teams are quite in the conversation. None of the sides in Group A are figured to make too much noise in the later stages of the tournament if you believe the oddsmakers. Mexico are +6600 to win the World Cup, which is the best of any of the teams in Group A. USA are the host nation with the “best” chance at +5000 while Canada is much lower down the list. 

Tick Tock

We are 90 minutes away from kicking off the World Cup from Mexico City!!! We have plenty of pregame celebrations to keep you covered on as we continue to get you ready for the start of match 1 of 104. Sound bites, video clips and analysis still coming your way over the next hour and a half. 

Mexico's dominant defensive line

Talk all you would like about the Mexico attack but it’s been the defense that has been the back bone of the success for Javier Aguirre’s side. They haven’t lost a match since November, with six wins and two draws since. In that time they have allowed just 2 goals, and one of those was a bit of a freak bounce that fell for the Serbia forward who broke a spell of over 180 minutes of keeping a clean sheet. They have have six clean sheets in their last eight matches, and will be looking to keep that run going through group stages. 

Who are Cup favorites?

The FIFA World Rankings and the favorites don't exactly paint the same picture. According to the betting markets, the defending champions aren’t the favorites to have a repeat run to lifting the cup again. Instead it is Spain who are slight favorites over France. Portugal are third on the list, ahead of England and Argentina who drop all the way down to 5th in the oddsmakers minds.

Endless buffet of summer soccer coming  

I hope you're ready and you have cleared all your plans for the summer. Once the actions starts it is barely going to stop. From today to the final on July 19th there will be just five days with no soccer. That’s 39 days and 34 of them will have something for us to watch. The group stages will run all the way to the the 28th of June. Just because the end of group stages arrives doesn’t mean we get a break. The round of 32 rolls on until the 3rd of July. And that is followed by the Round of 16 which starts on the 4th of July. Our first day with no soccer will be almost four weeks from now when the Round of 16 ends on July 7th. The quarterfinals will run from the 9th to the 11th meaning we will be without soccer for the 12th and 13th before the semis are played on the 14th and 15th. The 16th and 17th of July will get us time to get rested and prepare for the third placed game on the 18th and then the final on the 19th. There you have it. If you didn’t believe me, there’s your proof of just five days off in the next 39 days. 

The bigger, better World Cup

If you haven't heard, this years World Cup is bigger than ever. Literally bigger. More teams, more groups, more games, and more fans. We have gone from the 32 team format to a beefed up 48 team field with 12 groups of four teams. There is a Round of 32, which has never been seen before, and that will include the top eight third place teams. After that everything is the same, but the increase in teams, and groups means we have 104 games instead of the 64 we used to have in the 32 team format that the World Cup had from 1998 to 2022. 

Group A schedule

We are going to see two of the four teams in Group A on the pitch from Estadio Azteca tonight. The other two teams are Korea Republic (120 in FIFA Rankings) and Czechia (40th in FIFA Rankings). Here is what the schedule looks like for the three match days in Group A. 

Thursday, June 11, 3 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. South Africa, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)

Thursday, June 11, 10 p.m. (FS1): Korea Republic vs. Czechia, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)

Thursday, June 18, 12 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

Thursday, June 18, 9 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. Korea Republic, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)

Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. Mexico, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)

Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (FS1): South Africa vs. Korea Republic, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)

FIFA World Rankings

Before we start things up here from Ciudad de Mexico lets take a look at the FIFA World Rankings before the World Cup kicks off. The defending champions, Argentina, come into the summer’s biggest even at the top of the rankings. They are first, with Euro winners Spain right behind them and France in third. England and Portugal round out the top five, and to find the first team in Group A on the rankings, you have to go to the 14th spot. Mexico is 14th in the World right now while South Africa is ranked 60th. 

Last World Cup match up between these two

These two teams met in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup when South Africa was hosting. It was a tournament that was highlighted by fufuzela, Waka Waka and Spain winning the World Cup but before that Mexico and South Africa opened the tournament, and it was the Bafana Bafana that had a sensational start to the tournament. Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a cracking goal to set the country into a frenzy as South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the first half, but Rafa Marquez would equalize 12 minute from the end of the match and each team would share the spoils. 

World Cup resume: Bafana Bafana

South Africa has a much shorter history than Meixco in this tournament. They didn't even try to enter in the first seven editions, and they were either banned or not admitted from 1966 to 1990. Since the end of apartheid they have been to the World Cup on three different occasions. The first came in France 1998, then they made the next one in Korea and Japan before hosting the 2010 World Cup. They have never been past the group stages, but with the new format this could be their best chance yet.

World Cup resume: Mexico 

This is Mexico's 18th time in what they call the World Cup finals. The qualified for the first one in 1930, and have been a regular in the tournament ever since. In 1934 they failed to qualify, and in the next edition they withdrew. They failed to qualify in 1974, and 1982 and were banned form the 1990 World Cup for fielding over age players at the 1988 Olympics. In their 17 appearances, the best they have done is reached the quarterfinals. It happened twice in 1970 when the World Cup was hosted in Mexico, and again when Mexico hosted the tournament in 1986. Now that they are co-hosting, should we expect them to at least get to the quarterfinals?

Who to watch for: South Africa

If you follow the MLS and the Orlando Pirates, you will know plenty of the guys on this team, and the Bafana Bafana might be your second favorite team in this competition. If you aren't as familiar, you should be keeping an eye on Relebohile Mofokeng. The 21 year old scored 10 goals and served up 8 assists in the Premier Soccer League, and he has got endorsement from former South Africa great Steven Pinnear. 

World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony

Don't miss our dedicated live feed building up to the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony, where you'll find Jen with the low down on the opening concert featuring none other than World Cup legend Shakira and Burna Boy. 

We are ready!

Who to watch for: Mexico

He may not be the biggest star on the team, but Alvaro Fidalgo is the pace maker in the middle of the park for Mexico. The Real Betis man was transferred from Club America to Sevilla during the winter, and he played just 9 games for Manuel Pelligrini but watching him over the last few games, I think he's going to be a crucial player for this Mexico side. Obviously they will need goal and they can depend on their three up front with Raul Jimenez, Julian Quinones and Brian Gutierrez, but with a solid defense and attacking potential like we saw against Serbia, the midfield is going to be a critical part of the success for this team. 

South Africa's squad

The South Africa coach’s name isn´t Hugo Boss, but it’s close. Hugo Broos is a Belgian manager who has been all over the place. He started his managerial career in 1988, and since he has been the boss of teams like Anderlecht, Trabzonspor and Genk. He was manager of the Cameroon national team in 2016/17 and took over as South Africa’s coach in 2021. He has assembled a team of some familiar MLS faces, and a whole lot of Orlando Pirates players (One of South Africa’s top teams). This is the team that Broos brought hoping to make some noise in this edition of the World Cup. 

Goalkeepers

Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates FC)

Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC)

Defenders

Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City FC)

Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire FC)

Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK)

Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates FC)

Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Ime Okon (Hannover 96)

Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union)

Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs FC)

Midfielders

Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates FC)

Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela)

Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Forwards

Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates FC)

Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates FC)

Lyle Foster (Burnley FC)

Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates FC)

Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)

Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates FC)

Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates FC)

Mexico's squad list

There are some legends. There are some youngsters. There are stars and there are some young guns. The Mexico squad has a good mix and an experienced manager that knows what it’s like to play on the biggest stage in the sport. The 26 man list was named a little over a week ago. The question remains, will this squad have what it takes to take Mexico farther than they have ever gone before in the World Cup?

Last game: South Africa 

The Bafana Bafana are winless in their last five matches dating back to their elimination at the hands of Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations. Since then they have three draws and a loss, including their 1-1 draw against Jamaica on Saturday. Oswin Appolis put the South African side up a goal to the good in the 32nd minute. They would hold on to that lead until the 93rd minute when a goal from Dwayne Atkinson leveled things and left South Africa with a share of the spoils in their final tune up. 

Home again, home again 

The journey starts today for El Tri. They have been to the quarters in both of the two World Cups that they have hosted. Will they be getting back to the quarters, or will they go even farther this summer? The hopes of the nation rest on Javier Aguirre and his squad. 

Last game: Mexico

It was a fiesta de futbol from Toluca for El Tri in their final tune up before the World Cup. They played a depleted Serbia side that was still recovering missing out on the tournament, and Mexico only added insult to injury against the Serbs. The visitors actually went up a goal, in the 19th minute but that only lit a fire under Javier Aguirre's side. A head from a corner by Johan Vasquez was followed by a ridiculous own goal from Serbia right before the half. Raul Jimenez scored a rebound goal right before most of the XI was subbed off. Another own goal from the Serbs poured on the punishment and then a golazo from Luis Chavez capped a perfect send off for the Mexico side before their opening match for the World Cup. 

We are live from Estadio Ciudad de Mexico

Hello everyone and welcome to Mexico City where the co-hosts of the  World Cup are ready to start their campaign on home soil. Javier Aguirre's have an opportunity to make a historic run in this tournament, but they will need to get through this opening match that will be packed with pressure, passion and expectation before the continue through the group stages. South Africa are back in the World Cup for the first time in 16 years and they will be looking to stun the co-hosts in this rematch of the opening match of the 2010 World Cup from South Africa. 

World Cup kickoff, Mexico vs. South Africa 

It has been 1,270 days since Argentina lifted their third World Cup in the history of the competition. The wait is over. The anticipation is through the roof. Today we kick off World Cup 2026 and we do it on the home soil of one of the co-hosts from the Estadio Ciudad de Mexico. It's a Group A match up to get a month long marathon as Mexico and South Africa open up the summer’s biggest event and AS English will be with you all afternoon providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of game 1 of 104.