About this match

Mexico and South Africa already faced each other in a World Cup opener: in 2010, in Johannesburg, they drew 1-1 in the inaugural match with a goal by Siphiwe Tshabalala, one of the most iconic in World Cup history. Mexico also opened the 1970 World Cup at the Azteca, thrashing El Salvador 3-0. Now, in 2026, the Azteca hosts the opening match for the third time, and the two legendary hosts meet again — this time with Mexico playing at home and looking to banish the ghost of round-of-16 eliminations.

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Head to Head

Head-to-head data not available