Join The Club
After four years of waiting, the World Cup gets underway with a clash between Mexico and South Africa. Sound familiar?
It was only 16 years ago that these sides kicked-off the 2010 edition of the tournament in Johannesburg, when Bafana Bafana's Siphiwe Tshabalala got the party started with a 'Goal for all Africa', as Peter Drury memorably put it, before Mexican captain Rafael Marquez dampened the celebratory atmosphere with a late equaliser.
Much has changed since then. Marquez is now Mexico's assistant coach and the tournament is now 50 per cent larger, with this game signalling the beginning of the era of the 48-team World Cup and the first with three co-hosts. It also feels like politics has dominated the build-up more than ever before, but finally we can focus on the action on the pitch - with Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca providing the perfect setting.
Mexico target winning start to home World Cup
The 83,000-capacity Azteca will become the first stadium to host the opening match of three World Cups, with the two previous occasions - Mexico's clash with the Soviet Union in 1970 and reigning champions Italy's curtain-raiser against Bulgaria in 1986 - both ending in draws. But the co-hosts have reason to believe they can buck that trend.
The obvious benefit for Mexico is the backing of a partisan home crowd, which always gives the host nation a boost, especially in the opening game. Potentially a bigger advantage, though, is the altitude.
The Azteca stands at 2,200m above sea level and the high altitude can sap the energy of visiting players who aren't acclimatised to the conditions, potentially leaving them more vulnerable to fatigue.
Interestingly, Soccer City in Johannesburg - which hosted the opening game in 2010 - is 1,750m above sea level, so South Africa may not be as affected as players from other nations. The emotion involved in the opening game of the tournament could also be a leveller.
Even if Mexico can't rely on the altitude for an advantage, their form heading into the tournament opener should give them plenty of belief. Javier Aguirre's men are unbeaten in eight games in 2026 and thrashed Serbia 5-1 in their final warm-up game, as they overwhelmed their opponents in front of a vociferous home crowd in Toluca.
Mexico will look to Raul Jimenez for goals, although the fact that the striker is 35 shows where they may be lacking. The veteran, who is set to rejoin Wolves after leaving Fulham, scored against Serbia and has previous when it comes to the big occasion, equalising in last year's 2-1 Gold Cup final win over the USA.
Their reliance on Jimenez perhaps suggests that they won't win at a canter, but with their good form, the backing of a home crowd and the limitations of their opponents - more on that in a moment - Mexico should have enough to triumph.
South Africa are hard-working and compact defensively, so they are unlikely to be fazed if Mexico dominate possession. However, their FIFA world ranking of 60 - 46 places below their opponents - underlines their underdog status.
An excellent qualifying campaign which saw them top their group ahead of Nigeria gave way to a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations last-16 exit to Cameroon, and they have failed to win since then in games against Panama (twice), Nicaragua and Jamaica.
It could leave them low on confidence heading into the tournament and you fear for Bafana Bafana if they go behind in the cauldron of the Azteca.
FourFourTwo's prediction
Mexico 1-0 South Africa
This may not be a classic opening game, but the co-hosts should have enough to take three points.
