Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday, with the hosts playing in front of their home supporters.
Heading into the tournament, Mexico is in excellent form and full of confidence. Under the guidance of Javier Aguirre, they remain unbeaten in 2026 and have built strong momentum. The team won all three of their final warm-up matches, recording victories against Ghana and Australia. They finished their preparations in style with an emphatic 5-1 win over Serbia. Their attacking play has looked sharp, and they appear especially dangerous when playing at home.
Mexico team news
There is more positive news for Mexico as several important players have been declared fit in time for the tournament.
Key figures such as César Montes, Edson Álvarez, Luis Chávez, and Alexis Vega have all recovered after recent injury concerns.
They showed their readiness by featuring in the convincing 5-1 victory over Serbia. Despite this boost, Aguirre still has a few selection challenges to deal with.
Goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón and midfielder Marcel Ruiz have both been ruled out of the entire competition due to serious injuries suffered before the training camp.
As a result, young goalkeeper Raúl Rangel is expected to step in, although experienced keeper Guillermo Ochoa will be aiming to feature in what could be his sixth World Cup.
In attack, veteran striker Raúl Jiménez, who plays for Fulham, is likely to lead the line. Overall, Mexico appears fit, well-prepared, and ready to take advantage of the opportunity to play at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
Mexico predicted lineup
Possible Mexico starting XI: Rangel; Sanchez, Montes, Alvarez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Fidalgo, Pineda; Alvarado, Jimenez, Quinones
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday, 11th June.
How to watch Mexico vs South Africa?
Fans in the UK can watch the Mexico vs South Africa opening match live and free of charge on ITV1.
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