📅 2026 World Cup Fixture: Group A · Thursday, June 11, 2026 · Estadio Azteca, Mexico City — Tournament Opener

Mexico vs South Africa is the match that opens the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the host nation kicks off the tournament against Bafana Bafana — and it's not their first meeting on the World Cup's biggest stage.

The 2010 World Cup opener in Johannesburg between these same two sides produced one of the most iconic goals in tournament history, a 1-1 draw that set a tone for an unforgettable World Cup. Sixteen years later, the script flips: Mexico host, and this time the stakes are home soil and altitude.

All-Time Head-to-Head Record

Mexico lead the all-time head-to-head between Mexico and South Africa, who have met 4 times at senior international level since 1993.

4 Meetings

2 Mexico wins

1 Draws

1 South Africa wins

 

Stat	Mexico	South Africa
Total wins	2	1
Goals scored	9	5
Goals per match	2.25	1.25
Win rate	50%	25%

Last meetings between Mexico and South Africa

Date	Competition	Home	Away	Score
Jun 10, 2010	World Cup Opener	South Africa	Mexico	1-1
Jul 12, 2005	Gold Cup	South Africa	Mexico	2-1
May 28, 2000	US Nike Cup	Mexico	South Africa	4-2
Jan 17, 1993	Friendly	Mexico	South Africa	4-0

Biggest wins for each side

Mexico's biggest result

Mexico 4–0 South Africa, International Friendly, January 17, 1993, Los Angeles — A first-meeting demolition that established the early Mexican dominance in this fixture.

South Africa's biggest result

South Africa 2–1 Mexico, 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage, July 12, 2005 — South Africa, invited as guests, stunned Mexico in front of an American crowd. It remains South Africa's only senior win over Mexico.

The most famous match

2010 World Cup Opener — Mexico 1-1 South Africa, June 11, 2010, Soccer City, Johannesburg. Siphiwe Tshabalala's iconic top-corner finish opened the World Cup. Rafael Márquez equalized late. The match drew over 84,000 fans and remains a defining moment in both teams' modern history.

Top scorer in the rivalry

Siphiwe Tshabalala's strike in the 2010 World Cup opener is the most famous goal in this fixture. The left-footed top-corner finish from outside the box is regularly listed among the greatest goals in World Cup history.

2026 World Cup Preview

Key players: Mexico

Raúl Jiménez (his fourth World Cup), Hirving Lozano, Edson Álvarez, Luis Chávez, César Montes, Santiago Giménez. Javier Aguirre is in his third spell as Mexico head coach.

Key players: South Africa

Ronwen Williams (captain and goalkeeper), Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng (one of African football's brightest young talents), Oswin Appollis, Teboho Mokoena. Hugo Broos returns to the World Cup as manager.

Match prediction

Mexico City sits at 2,240 meters above sea level. Bafana Bafana train at sea level, and altitude fatigue tends to hit late. Combined with 87,000 home fans inside Estadio Azteca, this match heavily favors Mexico. Mexico 2-1 prediction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the all-time head-to-head record between Mexico and South Africa?

Mexico lead the all-time head-to-head record with 2 wins to South Africa's 1, with 1 draw across 4 senior meetings since 1993. Mexico have outscored South Africa 9-5 in those matches.

When did Mexico last play South Africa?

Mexico's last meeting with South Africa was the 1-1 draw at the 2010 World Cup opener on June 11, 2010, in Johannesburg. The 2026 World Cup opener will be their first meeting in 16 years.

Have Mexico and South Africa played at the World Cup before?

Yes. They met once before, in the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Soccer City in Johannesburg, finishing 1-1. The 2026 opener at Estadio Azteca is their second-ever World Cup meeting.

When is Mexico vs South Africa at the 2026 World Cup?

Mexico face South Africa in Group A on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM CST at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It is the tournament opener — the very first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Who scored Tshabalala's famous 2010 goal?

Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the iconic 2010 World Cup opening goal for South Africa against Mexico. He cut in from the left and unleashed a left-footed strike into the top right corner — one of the most replayed goals in World Cup history.

What is Estadio Azteca's history with the World Cup?

Estadio Azteca is the only stadium in history to host three World Cups (1970, 1986, and 2026). Capacity for the 2026 tournament is 87,500. It reopened on March 28, 2026, after a renovation, with a 0-0 friendly between Mexico and Portugal.

 See Also: France vs Senegal Head to Head: All-Time Record, 2002 Shock & 2026 Preview

Last updated May 4, 2026. We will refresh this page after the 2026 World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa.