World Cup · Group Stage – 1
Season 2026/2027
● Tested by real SA players
Mexico
South Africa
The rivalry
Mexico v South Africa: the night Tshabalala lit up the world
For South Africans, this fixture means one thing. Soccer City. 11/06/2010. The first ball of the first African World Cup. The moment the whole country held its breath.
South Africa kicked off as hosts and underdogs. Mexico were the favourites for the opener. The early plan was simple: do not lose. Then on 55 minutes, Kagisho Dikgacoi turned a loose ball wide to Siphiwe Tshabalala. One touch to set himself. Then a strike off his left foot that bent into the top corner. The roar that followed is the loudest sound a Bafana goal has ever made.
Mexico hit back through Rafael Marquez on 79 minutes. The game ended 1-1. A draw on paper. A win for South African football in every other way.
That goal also became the goal of the whole tournament for many fans. Tshabalala dancing with his team mates by the corner flag is one of the great World Cup images.
Now, on 11/06/2026, the two 2010 hosts meet again. Same Group A opener slot. Same date in June. This time the venue is Estadio Azteca, where the World Cup finals of 1970 and 1986 were played. Bafana fans, you have been here before. Mexico fans, you remember it too.
Match prediction
Prediction model warming up. Check back closer to kick off.
Starting eleven
-
12
C. Acevedo
G -
23
J. Gallardo
D -
3
C. Montes
D -
15
I. Reyes
D -
2
J. Sánchez
D -
18
O. Vargas
M -
24
L. Chávez
M -
8
Álvaro Fidalgo
M -
25
R. Alvarado
F -
11
S. Giménez
F -
14
A. González
F
-
16
S. Chaine
G -
26
B. Cross
D -
18
S. Kabini
D -
24
O. Makhanya
D -
14
M. Mbokazi
D -
23
J. Adams
M -
5
T. Mbatha
M -
4
T. Mokoena
M -
9
L. Foster
F -
99
E. Makgopa
F -
15
I. Rayners
F
Full time
Mexico open the World Cup with a win
Mexico got the 2026 World Cup under way with a 2-0 win over South Africa on 11/06/2026. Julian Quinones settled the home crowd with a goal after nine minutes. The opener set the tone for the night.
Raul Jimenez made the points safe in the second half. His goal on 67 minutes gave Mexico a comfortable 2-0 win. A clean sheet and a bright start for the co-hosts.
Mexico followed up with a 1-0 win over South Korea and sit top of Group A on six points. They are into the next round in strong form. South Africa earned a 1-1 draw with Czechia but sit bottom of the group.