The 2026 World Cup is about to get underway with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opener tonight.FIFAs 14th-ranked team will be buoyed by a home crowd in Mexico City, and expect them to start fast as they look to kick off the tournament in style.Mexico have two tough games to come against Czechia and South Korea, so it is essential they pick up three points if they are to advance.Catch up with all the team news right here on 101GreatGoals.Table of ContentsMexico team newsSouth Africa team newsWhere to watch Mexico v South AfricaStats for Mexico v South AfricaPredictionMexico team newsMexico starting XI: Rangel, Montes, Vasquez, Reyes, Gallardo, Lira, Fidalgo, Gutierrez, Jimenez, Quinones, AlvaradoMexico substitutes: Acevedo, Ochoa, Sanchez, Alvarez, Chavez, Romo, Pineda, Vargas, Mora, Chavez, Vega, Gimenez, Gonzalez, Huerta, MartinezSouth Africa team newsSouth Africa starting XI: Williams, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Mudau, Okon, Mokoena, Sithole, Adams, Foster, RaynersSouth Africa substitutes: Chaine, Goss, Matuludi, Ndamane, Kabini, Makhanya, Cross, Mbatha, Zwane, Appollis, Moremi, Mofokeng, Maseko, Mokgopa, SebelebeleWhere to watch Mexico v South Africa2K633H1 FIFA World Cup trophy against the background of Mexico flag.The match is broadcast on ITV and STV in the UK, and can also be streamed on ITVX.Check out where all the World Cup matches will be shown here.Stats for Mexico v South AfricaMexico are unbeaten in their last seven opening matches at a World Cup, with five wins and two draws the last time they tasted defeat in their opener was in 1994, when they lost 1-0 to Norway.None of South Africas nine matches at the World Cup have ended goalless their two wins so far in the competition came against Slovenia in 2002 and France in 2010. The victory against Slovenia is also their only clean sheet in a World Cup match (1-0).Coach Javier Aguirre played for Mexico at the 1986 WC, starting all five matches and assisting Manuel Negretes volley against Bulgaria before being sent off in the quarter-final against West Germany.PredictionHome advantage, a feverish crowd and a better side all point towards an opening win for the co-hosts. Lets let the football do the talking!Prediction: Mexico 3-1 South Africa Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Mexico National Football Team South Africa national football team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Yamal gives Spain boost as Barcelona star returns to team training Nicholas McGee 11th June, 2026 Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina: Line-ups, stats and preview as co-hosts seek first World Cup win Nicholas McGee 11th June, 2026 Mexico v South Africa: Line-ups, stats and previewas World Cup 2026 begins Tom Rostance 11th June, 2026 South Korea v Czechia: 2026 World Cup line-ups, stats and preview Tom Rostance 11th June, 2026 Morocco rule two stars out of World Cup days before Brazil opener Nicholas McGee 11th June, 2026 England 3-0 Costa Rica Gordon stakes claim for World Cup start in friendly win Tom Rostance 11th June, 2026
