{"id":7199,"date":"2026-06-10T16:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/06\/10\/mexico-vs-south-africa-world-cup-group-match-teams-start-and-lineups\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T16:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:30:11","slug":"mexico-vs-south-africa-world-cup-group-match-teams-start-and-lineups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/06\/10\/mexico-vs-south-africa-world-cup-group-match-teams-start-and-lineups\/","title":{"rendered":"Mexico vs South Africa: World Cup group match \u2013 teams, start and lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"<div aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\">\n<p><em>The 2026 World Cup will have 13 different kickoff times. You can use the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/6\/8\/what-time-are-world-cup-2026-matches-in-my-time-zone\">Al Jazeera Sport widget<\/a>\u00a0to find out exactly when your team is playing in your local time.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Who<\/strong>: Mexico vs South Africa<br \/> <strong>What<\/strong>: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/fifa-world-cup-2026\">FIFA World Cup 2026<\/a> Group A match<br \/> <strong>Where<\/strong>: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City<br \/> <strong>When<\/strong>: Thursday, 1pm local time (19:00 GMT)<br \/> <strong>How to follow:<\/strong> We\u2019ll have all the build-up on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/\">Al Jazeera Sport<\/a>\u00a0from 16:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.<\/p>\n<section>\n<h2>Recommended Stories <\/h2>\n<p><span>list of 3 items<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>list 1 of 3<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/economy\/2026\/6\/8\/will-the-fifa-world-cup-be-the-economic-bonanza-us-cities-were-promised\">Will the FIFA World Cup be the economic bonanza US cities were promised?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 2 of 3<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/6\/9\/world-cup-opening-ceremony-whos-performing-when-it-starts-how-to-watch\">World Cup opening ceremony: Who\u2019s performing, when it starts, how to watch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 3 of 3<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/video\/newsfeed\/2026\/6\/10\/somalia-criticises-us-decision-to-bar-world-cup-referee\">Somalia criticises US decision to bar World Cup referee<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>end of list<\/span><\/section>\n<p>At the 2010 FIFA World Cup \u2013 the first on African soil \u2013 hosts South Africa faced Mexico in the tournament\u2019s opening match, playing out a 1-1 draw.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, the teams meet again at the same stage. This time, cohosts Mexico welcome South Africa, as the much-awaited 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America.<\/p>\n<p>With 80,000 fans expected to pack the prestigious Estadio Azteca, the opener promises to be an incredible spectacle.<\/p>\n<p>Al Jazeera tells you all you need to know:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4642106\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4642106\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2010-06-11T161455Z_1_MT1ACI7048073_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ZAF-MEX-1781067577.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C412&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Football - South Africa v Mexico FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 - Group A - Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - 11\/6\/10 \" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4642106\">Siphiwe Tshabalala celebrates after giving South Africa a 1-0 lead against Mexico at the FIFA World Cup 2010 opening match in Johannesburg [File: Scott Heavey\/Action Images]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-biggest-ever-world-cup-s-curtain-raiser\">The biggest-ever World Cup\u2019s curtain raiser<\/h2>\n<p>Thursday\u2019s match in Mexico City will mark the start of a 39-day tournament, featuring 104 games \u2013 40 more than in the last edition in Qatar 2022.<\/p>\n<p>With an expanded participation pool of 48 teams, the 2026 World Cup is the biggest in the sport\u2019s history, and the first to be held in three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n<p>Exactly 90 minutes before kickoff, an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/6\/9\/world-cup-opening-ceremony-whos-performing-when-it-starts-how-to-watch\">opening ceremony<\/a> will take place, headlined by four-time Grammy-winning superstar Shakira, while Colombian singer J Balvin and South African singer-songwriter Tyla will also feature among the cast of performers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4639538\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4639538\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-06-01T124214Z_1665773974_RC2VDKA3HZS6_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-MEXICOCITY-CITYSHOTS-1780992328.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C460&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Azteca Stadium lit up at sunset with a dark city behind and clouds overhead\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4639538\">Estadio Azteca will host the opening game of World Cup 2026 as cohosts Mexico face South Africa [File: Luis Cortes\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"cohosts-mexico-face-home-pressure-to-deliver\">Cohosts Mexico face home pressure to deliver<\/h2>\n<p>The football-crazy nation of Mexico is no stranger to a World Cup. El Tri are gearing up for a whopping 17th appearance at the finals.<\/p>\n<p>While hosting the opening match of the tournament is huge in itself, to make things more special, the gigantic Estadio Azteca is set to make history as the first stadium to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches (1960, 1986 and 2026).<\/p>\n<p>Home advantage and a higher FIFA ranking make Mexico the favourites in this match, but with more than 80,000 attendees expected, the cohosts find themselves under pressure to deliver the winning start their fans expect.<\/p>\n<p>Mexico are unbeaten in their last eight matches, equalling the \u200clongest unbeaten run they have taken into a World Cup and providing further encouragement for Javier Aguirre\u2019s side before the tournament.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4642129\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4642129\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-06-06T164245Z_678253474_UP1EM661AF7QJ_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-MEX-1781068795.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C533&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Mexico Training - Centro de Alto Rendimiento, Mexico City, Mexico - June 6, 2026 Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa during training REUTERS\/Henry Romero\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4642129\">Watch out for Mexico\u2019s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, known for pulling off great displays during World Cups [File: Henry Romero\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"don-t-write-off-underdogs-south-africa\">Don\u2019t write off underdogs South Africa<\/h2>\n<p>At number 60 in the FIFA rankings, South Africa are far below 14th-ranked Mexico. But Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes his side is more than capable of pulling off an upset.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike Mexico, who are near-regulars at the World Cup, South Africa are back on the global stage after a 16-year absence in what will be just their fourth appearance.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor us, it will be a fantastic experience,\u201d Broos told reporters before the opening game.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is very important that we keep ourselves to the \u2060game plan and don\u2019t listen to what is happening \u2060in the stands.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>South Africa\u2019s preparations were disrupted by visa issues that delayed the arrival of several members of the travelling party, costing them valuable time to acclimatise to conditions in central Mexico.<\/p>\n<p>Yet Broos\u2019s side emerged from a difficult \u200cqualifying campaign and will hope to frustrate the hosts once again.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4642168\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4642168\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-06-02T162223Z_261121934_RC25JLABVPX9_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-GROUPA-SAFRICA-1781069658.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C513&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Friendly - South Africa v Nicaragua - Orlando Stadium, Soweto, South Africa - May 29, 2026 South Africa players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS\/Siphiwe Sibeko\/File Photo\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4642168\">South Africa are among the 10 African nations \u2013 the most ever \u2013 at this FIFA World Cup [File: Siphiwe Sibeko\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"how-does-the-world-cup-group-stage-work\">How does the World Cup group stage work?<\/h2>\n<p>Mexico, South Africa, Czechia and South Korea are in Group A.<\/p>\n<p>The top two teams from each of the 12 groups \u2013 along with the eight best third-placed teams \u2013 proceed to the next phase, the round of 32, which has been introduced at the World Cup for the first time.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mexico-lead-head-to-head-record-against-south-africa\">Mexico lead head-to-head record against South Africa<\/h2>\n<p>Thursday\u2019s game will be only the fifth meeting between the teams.<\/p>\n<p>Mexico have won twice, South Africa have won once, while one encounter ended in a draw.<\/p>\n<p>Their last meeting was the aforementioned 2010 World Cup opening match, in which Siphiwe Tshabalala\u2019s sensational opening strike was cancelled out by Rafael Marquez\u2019s equaliser, as the teams settled for a 1-1 draw in front of an 84,490-strong crowd in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"form-guide\">Form guide:<\/h2>\n<p><em>(Last five games, latest first)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Mexico<\/strong>: W-W-W-D-D<\/p>\n<p><strong>South Africa<\/strong>: D-D-L-D-L<\/p>\n<p>Mexico head into the World Cup opener on the back of three consecutive friendly wins against fellow tournament-bound teams Ghana and Australia, as well as Serbia.<\/p>\n<p>But South Africa were left frustrated with their performance in the build-up to the tournament, going winless in their last three friendlies \u2013 Bafana Bafana drew with Jamaica and Nicaragua and lost to Panama.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-watch-mexico-vs-south-africa\">How to watch Mexico vs South Africa?<\/h2>\n<p>Fans in Mexico can watch the game on TUDN, Canal 5, Canal 9, Las Estrellas and Vix, with kickoff scheduled for 1pm.<\/p>\n<p>South Africans can catch the action live on SuperSport, SportyTV and New World TV. Kickoff is at 9pm.<\/p>\n<p>Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch it on ITV, while those in the US can tune in to Fox.<\/p>\n<p>To find the World Cup match kickoffs in your timezone, click <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/6\/8\/what-time-are-world-cup-2026-matches-in-my-time-zone\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Mexico\u2019s predicted starting XI<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Raul Rangel; Jesus Gallardo, Johan Vasquez, Cesar Montes, Israel Reyes; Brian Gutierrez, Erik Lira, Alvaro Fidalgo; Julian Quinones, Roberto Alvarado, Raul Jimenez<\/p>\n<h2><strong>South Africa\u2019s predicted starting XI<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Ronwen Williams; Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba; Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Thalente Mbatha; Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, Oswin Appollis<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/INTERACTIVE-Football-FIFA-World-Cup-2026-group-stage-schedule-1776670775.png?quality=80\" alt=\"INTERACTIVE-Football FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage schedule-1776670775\" data-interactive=\"true\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><\/p>\n<p><em>You can follow the action on Al Jazeera\u2019s dedicated\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1780487260132000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2SRHMiZUbmq_Wan_GwUqd4\">FIFA World Cup 2026<\/a>\u00a0page with all the latest news, match build-up and live text commentary, and keep up to date with group standings, real-time match results and schedules.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 World Cup will have 13 different kickoff times. You can use the Al Jazeera Sport widget\u00a0to find out exactly when your team is playing in your local time. Who: Mexico vs South Africa What: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match Where: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City When: Thursday, 1pm local time (19:00 GMT) &#8230; <a title=\"Mexico vs South Africa: World Cup group match \u2013 teams, start and lineups\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/06\/10\/mexico-vs-south-africa-world-cup-group-match-teams-start-and-lineups\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Mexico vs South Africa: World Cup group match \u2013 teams, start and lineups\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7200,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7199"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7199\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}