The 2026 World Cup officially begins this evening as Mexico takes on South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This fixture echoes the opening match of the 2010 tournament, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Soccer City. That game produced one of the tournament's most memorable moments when Siphiwe Tshabalala rifled home a stunning opener.
Match details
The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The opening ceremony will feature performances from Shakira and Burna Boy, along with other Latin American artists.
How to watch
UK viewers can watch live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 7.50pm. The match is also available to stream via the ITVX app or website. Standard Sport will provide a live blog, and highlights will be available on FIFA's official YouTube channel and ITVX.
Team news
Mexico's veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa earned a late call-up but is expected to remain behind established No1 Raul Rangel. Raul Jimenez is set to lead the attack after returning to Wolves on a free transfer. The holding midfield position is a key area to watch, with Erik Lira potentially starting ahead of Edson Alvarez, who was benched in the final pre-tournament friendly against Serbia.
South Africa kept their preparations under wraps by playing their final warm-up match against Jamaica behind closed doors. Burnley striker Lyle Foster scored their only goal in a 1-1 draw and is expected to start. Tshepang Moremi is a popular choice on the left flank, while Teboho Mokoena should feature in midfield despite a suspension controversy during qualifying. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, 34, impressed throughout AFCON and World Cup qualifying and will keep his place.
Prediction
While this clash between two World Cup underperformers may seem underwhelming as a tournament opener, it promises drama. South Africa has the advantage of playing together more regularly, with AFCON still fresh in their minds. However, Mexico's superior squad quality and depth, combined with the hostile environment of Estadio Azteca, should give El Tri the edge. Predicted score: Mexico 2-1 South Africa.
Head-to-head record
This is the first meeting between the sides since the 2010 World Cup opener, which ended 1-1. Overall, Mexico has two wins, South Africa one, and there has been one draw.
Odds
Odds are available from World Cup betting sites and are subject to change. Gambling can be addictive; please gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. For support, visit BeGambleAware or Gamcare.
