Mexico and South Africa will kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, June 11, marking the start of the first-ever 48-team World Cup.The opening match is a rematch of the 2010 World Cup curtain-raiser, when South Africa hosted the tournament and became the first African nation to stage the event. Sixteen years later, Mexico has the honor of opening the World Cup on home soil as one of the tournament’s three co-hosts.
Starting Lineups For Mexico vs. South Africa
Mexico’s head coach Javier Aguirre is handing the keys to Raúl Rangel in goal for the opening match, while the experienced César Montes anchors the backline and will wear the captain’s armband for Mexico.
South Africa, led by head coach Hugo Broos and captain Ronwen Williams in goal, will look to overcome the home crowd and play spoiler.
Take a look at the full lineups for Thursday’s opener:
Mexico:
GK: Raúl Rangel
LB: Jesus Gallardo
CB: Cesar Montes (C)
CB: Johan Vasquez
RB: Israel Reyes
CDM: Erik Lira
CAM: Alvaro Fidalgo
CAM: Brian Gutierrez
LW: Julián Quiñones
RW: Roberto Alvarado
ST: Raúl Jiménez
South Africa:
GK: Ronwen Williams (C)
CB: Nkosinathi Sibisi
CB: Ime Okon
CB: Mbekezeli Mbokazi
RB: Khuliso Mudau
CDM: Sphephelo Sithole
CDM: Teboho Mokoena
CAM: Jayden Adams
LB: Aubrey Modiba
ST: Lyle Foster
ST: Iqraam Rayners
Match Officials:
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Pires (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Danilo Boschilia (BRA)
4th Official: Juan Gabriel Benítez (PAR)
Mexico Wants To Stay Perfect in Openers
With Mexico in the spotlight today, there will be talk of two streaks – one that Mexico will want to keep going and one that it will want to snap later in the tournament.
Mexico is unbeaten in seven straight World Cup openers (5 wins, 2 draws), last losing to Norway in 1994 in Washington, D.C., when the USA hosted the World Cup. The last team to hold Mexico to a draw in an opener? Today’s opponent. South Africa, who hosted it in 2010, opened that tournament against Mexico with 1-1 draw.
As for that other streak? Mexico wants to reach that ‘quinto partido’ – which means playing a fifth game at the tournament, i.e. reaching the quarterfinals. Mexico has only reached the quarterfinals twice in World Cup history (1970, 1986) when it also hosted the tournament.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, who was part of the 1986 World Cup team as a player, is relishing the moment of being on the sideline for Thursday’s opener against South Africa.
Aguirre told reporters on the eve of the Group A clash. “It is something unforgettable.”
Aguirre was part of Mexico’s squad at the 1986 World Cup and played in the opening match against Belgium, also in Mexico City, before later guiding the team at the 2002 and 2010 tournaments.
The 67-year-old, who is in his third stint as Mexico’s manager, said playing a World Cup at home is something special.
“I remember the confidence with which we went out to face Belgium,” he said.
“I want to transmit to the players that it can be a great day for us, that it can be a celebration that will be remembered for decades.”