History repeats itself tonight. Mexico and South Africa will kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a rematch of the 2010 tournament opener — it's the first time the same fixture has opened two different editions of the tournament.

Sixteen years ago, Siphiwe Tshabalala's thunderbolt sent a nation into delirium before Rafael Márquez equalised for a 1-1 draw at Soccer City in Johannesburg. This time, the stage shifts to Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, where the hosts have never lost a World Cup match in seven games (five wins, two draws).

Kick-off is at 21:00 SA time. The match will be broadcast live on SABC and SuperSport.

Mexico's fortress

El Tri enter as firm favourites to top Group A. They're unbeaten in eight matches — six wins, two draws — and have kept six clean sheets in that run. Mexico also haven't lost a World Cup opener in seven tournaments since 1994, winning five and drawing two.

But for all their consistency, Mexico still hold an unwanted record: they've played more World Cup matches than any other nation without winning the trophy — 60 games and counting.

Bafana's knockout dream

For South Africa, this tournament is about doing something they've never done: reach the knockout stages. This is their fourth World Cup appearance and first since hosting in 2010.

Coach Hugo Broos guided Bafana to the finals by topping a qualification group that included Nigeria. His side trailed in only one of 10 qualifiers. But recent form has been shaky — five matches without a win, three draws and two defeats.

Broos will hope his team can rediscover the defensive grit that got them to Mexico. None of South Africa's nine previous World Cup matches have ended goalless, so expect action at both ends.

Key players

Mexico's Johan Vásquez is an unlikely attacking threat from centre-back — he's scored three goals in his last three club and country appearances, twice opening the scoring for El Tri.

For South Africa, creative responsibility falls on Oswin Appollis. The winger was directly involved in six goals during qualifying (two goals, four assists) — that's twice as many as any teammate.

Head-to-head

Mexico won the first two meetings between these nations but haven't won either of the last two. The 2010 draw remains the most famous encounter.

Group A fixtures

  • Thursday, 11 June: Mexico vs South Africa, Mexico City, 21:00
  • Thursday, 18 June: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Atlanta, 18:00
  • Thursday, 25 June: South Africa vs South Korea, Guadalupe, 03:00

No fresh injury concerns have been reported from either camp.

Prediction

Mexico 2-0 South Africa.

What's your final score prediction? Let us know in the comments below.