The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, finally kicks off this evening. One of the host nations, Mexico, takes on South Africa in the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Match Details and Significance
The Group A showdown begins at 8pm BST on Thursday, June 11. Interestingly, it falls exactly 16 years to the day since the two teams met at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The group also includes South Korea and the Czech Republic, making it a highly competitive pool.
South Africa secured their spot by topping their qualification group ahead of Nigeria, while Mexico qualified automatically as a host nation. Opening matches can sometimes be anticlimactic, but fans hope for a thrilling start to the tournament.
How to Watch Mexico vs South Africa for Free
The match will be broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on ITV1. Coverage begins at 6.15pm BST with the opening ceremony. Viewers can also stream the game live on ITVx, accessible on mobile devices, tablets, smart TVs, and desktop computers with a simple login.
Quotes from the Managers
Javier Aguirre (Mexico): “I want players who feel proud to compete — players who give everything for their country on the pitch. If they play well and offer versatility, even better. But above all, they must be genuinely eager to represent Mexico.”
Hugo Broos (South Africa): “You know, it will be a special and fantastic experience for us because my players have never played in this kind of situation before. It will be very important for us to stick to our game plan and not be distracted by what is happening in the stands. We all know there will be thousands of Mexican supporters inside the stadium and maybe only a few South Africans.”
