Mexico vs. South Africa live score, result, highlights from 2026 World Cup opening match

The long-awaited arrival is here, and the 2026 World Cup journey will finally kick off with Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca on Thursday.

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Exactly 16 years ago to the day, El Tri and Bafana Bafana got the action started when South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup. Now, the two teams will once again get the ball rolling, this time on the other side of the world. This year’s tournament will be Mexico’s 18th appearance at the World Cup, while South Africa will be making the country’s fourth, and first since hosting the 2010 edition.

Despite it being the opener, Thursday’s game between the two can hold massive weight in determining how Group A shapes up. In a perfect world, Mexico would love to get some wind behind its sails in front of the Mexico City home crowd. However, South Africa’s tournament would get off to a near-unfathomable start if they were to steal three points away from El Tri. There won’t be a magical Siphiwe Tshabalala back-of-the-net effort this year, but that only means a new hero can be born from this South African squad in 2026.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Mexico vs. South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Follow for complete results from the Group A match in Mexico City.

LIVE: Follow World Cup opening ceremony updates from Mexico City

Mexico vs. South Africa score

Location: Mexico City
Referee: Wilton Sampaio

Starting lineups:

Lineups will appear closer to kickoff.

Mexico (formation):

South Africa (formation):

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Updated World Cup standings

Mexico vs. South Africa live updates, highlights from 2026 World Cup

(All times ET)

Pregame

1:39 p.m. — Fan fests have grown in popularity across World Cup-participating countries. At Guadalajara, the vibes are sky high and jubilant ahead of Mexico’s opener:

The FIFA Fan Fest in Guadalajara can not wait for it all to start 🇲🇽

(via X/SanCadilla) pic.twitter.com/wqoa00ePNw

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2026

1:25 p.m. — Fans have begun taking their seats in Mexico City. Here is the view from the upper section of the stadium:

This is what $3,000 gets you at the Azteca

What. A. View. pic.twitter.com/Y7BWxXiDZb

— Casey Settleman (@csett13) June 11, 2026

12:54 p.m. — With just about three hours until kick off, here is how Estadio Azteca will appear during the World Cup opener. Expect to see a lot of green, white, and red around the pitch.

The stage is set.

Mexico City Stadium is ready to host its third @FIFAWorldCup opening game 🙌🏟️ pic.twitter.com/FFptXqyZPj

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 11, 2026

12:21 p.m. — One of the best parts about the World Cup is the influx of cultures on a global stage and game traditions each fanbase partakes in. With that, here are some of the most unique traditions that can be spotted at this summer’s tournament:

The World Cup is finally here 🌍⚽

And so are some of the best fan traditions you’ll find anywhere in sports. pic.twitter.com/IFwbtX4Ztp

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 11, 2026

12:10 p.m. — Fans of El Tri have already begun the process of filling Estadio Azteca from top to bottom. Virtually all 83,000 of the Mexican stadium’s seats should be filled for the country’s first time hosting a World Cup since 1986.

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Mexico fans are already making their way to the FIFA World Cup opener 🇲🇽

(via X/lopezdoriga) pic.twitter.com/oNctYtWcNc

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 11, 2026

11:56 a.m. — Estadio Azteca is a stadium that holds memory after memory for World Cup fans, especially after Mexico hosted the event in 1970 and 1986. From Pele to the Hand of God, this stadium has seen iconic moments, and will try to make some more this year. 

The amazing Estadio Azteca. What a view. A stadium steeped in history. Pele and Maradona both won World Cups here. The Hand of God goal… goal of the century… so many memories and now inside it feels really special ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ILggTJNKZT

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) June 11, 2026

11:51 a.m. — The game may be in Mexico, but the South African faithful like their chances. A group of fans shared their score predictions for the opener. 

South Africa fans predict the score of the World Cup opener vs. Mexico 🇿🇦🇲🇽

(w/ @milesxaddy) pic.twitter.com/HVkvOisRFh

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 10, 2026

11:25 a.m. — This match is a throwback to the 2010 World Cup opener. Back then, South Africa hosted Mexico. But this year, the script has flipped. These two tied 1-1 in 2010, with this Tshabalala goal opening the scoring. 

Sixteen years ago today, Siphiwe Tshabalala ensured the first World Cup goal on African soil was an absolute banger 🇿🇦

Today, Mexico and South Africa meet in the World Cup curtain-raiser once again. How can you not be romantic about football? 🇲🇽pic.twitter.com/ReJOgYLg00

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 11, 2026

11:18 a.m. — Even in the early morning, fans are packing the streets outside the Azteca. There are still several hours until game time, but the city is alive with excitement. 

7.30 in the morning at the Azteca Stadium. 5 and a half hours before the World Cup opener and it is mobbed 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/fQ2XxxiF0k

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) June 11, 2026

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

• Who will win the World Cup in 2026?
• How World Cup qualifying works
• Updated FIFA World Rankings
• Explaining the expanded World Cup bracket
• Full list of teams to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Where to watch Mexico vs. South Africa in World Cup

Mexico vs. South Africa start time

• Date: Thursday, June 11
• Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET, noon PT

Following the Opening Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. ET, Mexico and South Africa will kick off the first game of this year’s World Cup at 3 p.m. ET from Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

What channel is Mexico vs. South Africa on today?

• TV channel: Fox
• Live stream: Fubo (U.S. only free trial)

This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.

The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

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Mexico World Cup schedule 2026

South Africa World Cup schedule 2026