Mexico vs South Africa kicks off today, Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET (1:00 PM local time) at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It is the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, and you can watch it on FOX in the United States.
Bottom line: Mexico enter as heavy favorites. They are ranked 15th in the world, unbeaten in eight straight matches, and playing in front of more than 80,000 home fans.
South Africa sit 60th in the FIFA rankings and arrive winless in their last four. But here is the catch. Mexico have faced South Africa twice before and have never beaten them. History says this fixture is closer than it looks.
Mexico vs South Africa Match Details
| Match | Mexico vs South Africa |
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026, Group A, Matchday 1 |
| Date | Thursday, June 11, 2026 |
| Kick Off | 3:00 PM ET (1:00 PM Mexico City time) |
| Venue | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (FIFA name: Mexico City Stadium) |
| Capacity | 87,500 |
| Referee | Wilton Sampaio (Brazil) |
| VAR | Nicolas Gallo (Colombia) |
| Tickets | Check Ticket Prices & Availability |
Mexico vs South Africa Kick Off Time by Timezone
Mexico vs South Africa kick off time is 3:00 PM ET (1:00 PM in Mexico City, 7:00 PM GMT) on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Here is the kick off time wherever you are watching. The table is sorted from earliest to latest, and note that fans in South Asia, East Asia, and Australia watch in the early hours of Friday, June 12.
| Timezone | Kick Off Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | 1:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 3:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| Central Time (CT) | 2:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 1:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 12:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| Brazil (BRT) | 4:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| GMT / UTC | 7:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 8:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| Nigeria (WAT) | 8:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| Central Europe (CEST) | 9:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| South Africa (SAST) | 9:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| Saudi Arabia (AST) | 10:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| UAE (GST) | 11:00 PM | Thursday, June 11 |
| Pakistan (PKT) | 12:00 AM | Friday, June 12 |
| India (IST) | 12:30 AM | Friday, June 12 |
| Bangladesh (BST) | 1:00 AM | Friday, June 12 |
| Philippines (PHT) | 3:00 AM | Friday, June 12 |
| Japan (JST) | 4:00 AM | Friday, June 12 |
| Australia East (AEST) | 5:00 AM | Friday, June 12 |
The opening ceremony begins 90 minutes before kick off at 11:00 AM local time. Shakira headlines the show, with J Balvin and South African star Tyla also performing. Stadium gates open at 9:00 AM local time.
How to Watch Mexico vs South Africa
In Mexico, the match airs free on Canal 5, Las Estrellas, and Azteca 7, with streaming on ViX. Kick off is 1:00 PM local time.
In South Africa, SuperSport carries the game on DStv channels 201, 202, 203, and 235, with SportyTV and New World TV also showing it live at 9:00 PM SAST.
In the United States, FOX has the match in English, with kick off at 3:00 PM ET. You can stream this match for free on Tubi in 4k. In the United Kingdom, it airs on ITV1 at 8:00 PM BST.
Why This Match Matters
This is a rematch 16 years in the making. On June 11, 2010, South Africa and Mexico opened the World Cup in Johannesburg. Siphiwe Tshabalala scored one of the most famous opening goals in tournament history before Rafael Marquez equalized in a 1-1 draw.
Now the roles are reversed. Mexico host, South Africa visit, and the date is the same.
The venue adds another layer. Estadio Azteca becomes the first stadium ever to host the opening match of three World Cups, after 1970 and 1986. It is also the first World Cup match in a tournament that features 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Everything starts here.
Mexico Team News
Mexico arrive in strong form. Javier Aguirre’s side are unbeaten in their last eight matches, which equals the longest unbeaten run they have ever carried into a World Cup.
The injury picture has cleared up at the right time. Cesar Montes, Edson Alvarez, Luis Chavez, and Alexis Vega all carried knocks during the buildup, but all four played significant minutes in the June 5 friendly against Serbia. Aguirre should have close to a full squad available.
Raul Jimenez leads the attack, with Raul Rangel expected to get the nod in goal ahead of veteran Guillermo Ochoa.
Mexico predicted lineup (4-3-3): Rangel; Reyes, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Lira, Fidalgo; Quinones, Jimenez, Alvarado
South Africa Team News
South Africa’s preparation has been bumpy. Hugo Broos’s side are winless in their last four matches, with two draws and two losses, and just three goals scored in that stretch.
The warm-up results tell the story. Bafana Bafana drew 0-0 with Nicaragua in Johannesburg on May 29, then drew 1-1 with Jamaica behind closed doors in Pachuca. Lyle Foster got the goal, but Broos said afterward that the performance was not what he expected.
Still, this team won its qualifying group to reach a first World Cup since 2010. Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is one of the best shot-stoppers in African football, and Burnley striker Lyle Foster gives them a real focal point up front.
South Africa predicted lineup (4-3-3): Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole, Mbatha; Moremi, Foster, Appollis
Mexico vs South Africa Head to Head Record
Mexico and South Africa have met twice. Mexico have never won.
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| June 11, 2010 | FIFA World Cup | South Africa 1-1 Mexico |
| July 9, 2005 | CONCACAF Gold Cup | South Africa 2-1 Mexico |
Form Guide
| Team | FIFA Ranking | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 15 | Unbeaten in 8 matches |
| South Africa | 60 | Winless in 4 (D2, L2), 3 goals scored |
Group A Schedule
Mexico and South Africa share Group A with South Korea and Czechia. Here is the full group schedule in Eastern Time.
| Date | Match | Kick Off (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| June 11 | Mexico vs South Africa | 3:00 PM |
| June 11 | South Korea vs Czechia | 10:00 PM |
| June 18 | Czechia vs South Africa | 12:00 PM |
| June 18 | Mexico vs South Korea | 9:00 PM |
| June 24 | Czechia vs Mexico | 9:00 PM |
| June 24 | South Africa vs South Korea | 9:00 PM |
The top two teams advance to the Round of 32. The third-placed team can also advance if it finishes among the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups.
Our Prediction: Mexico 2-1 South Africa
Mexico win, but South Africa score.
Here is the reasoning. Mexico have everything in their favor today. Home crowd, altitude, form, and a massive gap in the rankings. Opening matches at the Azteca have a way of lifting El Tri, and Aguirre’s side have not lost in eight games. Raul Jimenez against this South African back line is the matchup that decides it.
But writing off Bafana Bafana completely ignores the evidence. South Africa have never lost to Mexico. They have pace on the wings through Moremi and Appollis, a genuine striker in Foster, and a goalkeeper in Williams capable of stealing points on his own. Opening matches are also historically tight and nervy. The hosts will feel the pressure of 87,500 expectant fans.
Our call: Mexico break through in the first half, South Africa pull one back, and a late Mexican goal settles it. Mexico 2-1 South Africa.
FAQ About Mexico vs South Africa
When is Mexico’s next World Cup 2026 match after South Africa?
Mexico play their second Group A match against South Korea on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET. They then close the group stage against Czechia on Wednesday, June 24, at 9:00 PM ET. If Mexico win the group, they advance directly to the Round of 32 in the knockout stage.
When does South Africa play Czechia in the World Cup?
South Africa face Czechia on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET in their second Group A fixture. It is a daytime kick off in the US. South Africa then finish the group stage against South Korea on Wednesday, June 24, at 9:00 PM ET.
What happens if Mexico vs South Africa ends in a draw?
A draw stands as the final result. Group stage matches at the World Cup do not go to extra time or penalties. Both teams would take one point each into the rest of Group A, and goal difference from this match could still matter when final group standings are decided.
Has South Africa ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
No. South Africa exited at the group stage in all three of their previous World Cup appearances in 1998, 2002, and 2010. The expanded 48-team format helps them this time, because the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups also advance to the Round of 32.
Has South Africa ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
No. South Africa exited at the group stage in all three of their previous World Cup appearances in 1998, 2002, and 2010. The expanded 48-team format helps them this time, because the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups also advance to the Round of 32.
How many World Cups has Mexico played in?
This is Mexico’s 18th World Cup appearance, the most of any nation that has never reached a final. Their best results came as hosts, reaching the quarter-finals in both 1970 and 1986. The 2026 tournament makes Mexico the first country to host World Cup matches three times.
Is this the first World Cup match ever played at Estadio Azteca?
No, far from it. Estadio Azteca hosted 19 matches across the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, including both finals. Pele lifted the trophy there in 1970 and Diego Maradona in 1986. The 2026 opener begins the stadium’s third World Cup, a record no other venue can match.
