World Cup 2026: Mexico vs South Africa in the opening match | OneFootball

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World Cup 2026: Mexico vs South Africa in the opening match

History truly has a way of repeating itself. Sixteen years after their unforgettable clash on June 11, 2010, in Johannesburg, Mexico and South Africa will once again square off in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

This twist of fate brings back memories of Siphiwe Tshabalala’s legendary goal and the 1–1 draw that kicked off the very first World Cup ever hosted on African soil. For this 2026 edition, the atmosphere will be entirely different: this time, the two teams will face each other at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the hallowed ground of Latin American football and a stage for some of the sport’s most unforgettable moments.

For South Africa, returning to the tournament’s curtain-raiser is a rare, almost historic opportunity to remind the world they can compete with football’s elite—just as they did in 2010.

This match will mark the start of the first-ever 48-team World Cup—a tournament that’s both expanded and reimagined. And what better way to kick off football’s greatest celebration than with a showdown steeped in symbolism?