Mexico vs South Africa Predictions
Backed by a fevered home crowd, I fancy the World Cup hosts to make a winning start to their Group A campaign.
I have my stake on Mexico to win with at least two goals scored.
Mexico on a Roll
- Mexico won 6 of their last 8 matches
- Mexico scored 2+ goals in 3 of their last 4 wins
- South Africa lost 3 of their last 7 matches
- South Africa conceded 2+ goals in 3 of their last 4 defeats
Mexico and South Africa Level in H2H Record
Mexico and South Africa will meet for the second time on Thursday. Remarkably, their only previous encounter was a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Mexico Finding Form
Mexico kick off the 2026 FIFA World Cup in confident mood after picking up three successive victories in their warm-up fixtures.
Javier Aguirre’s side secured deserved wins against Ghana (2-0), Australia (1-0) and Serbia (5-1) ahead of Thursday’s tournament opener.
The Mexicans were particularly impressive in their victory against Serbia, recovering from an early setback to secure a dominant win against their European visitors.
Veteran forward Raul Jimenez was among the scorers as El Tri completed their preparations with a morale-boosting performance.
The World Cup hosts have now won six fixtures while remaining unbeaten in eight games played in 2026.
South Africa Remain Winless in 2026
South Africa arrive in Mexico in need of a lift after a disappointing run of results in their World Cup preparations. Hugo Broos’s side were held to draws against Nicaragua (0-0) and Jamaica (1-1) in their final warm-up fixtures.
Since securing qualification for the finals for the third time in their history - and first since hosting the tournament in 2010 - the Bafana Bafana have struggled to find much form. South Africa failed to win any of their last five matches.
Past performances at the World Cup offer little encouragement. South Africa fell at the group phase in three previous appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2010.
Broos’s boys also endured a disappointing AFCON campaign in January, reaching the round of 16 before suffering elimination against Cameroon.
Squads and Team News
Mexico Squad
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel, Carlos Acevedo and Guillermo Ochoa
Defenders: Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Edson Álvarez, Johan Vásquez, Israel Reyes, Mateo Chavez and Jesús Gallardo
Midfielders: Erik Lira, Luis Romo, Alvaro Fidalgo, Orbelín Pineda, Obed Vargas, Gilberto Mora, Luis Chávez, Roberto Alvarado and Brian Gutierrez
Forwards: Raúl Jiménez, Alexis Vega, Santiago Giménez, Armando Gonzalez, Julián Quiñones, César Huerta and Guillermo Martinez
Head coach Javier Aguirre has a fully fit squad available for Thursday’s World Cup opening fixture.
Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is hoping to become the first player to appear at six World Cups this summer. Captain Edson Álvarez is expected to anchor the Mexican defence alongside Cesar Montes.
Aguirre, a starting midfielder on the 1986 national team, revealed squad spirit is high in the Mexican camp.
“We went to the anthropology museum, and it is marvelous. For the players, it was an incredible experience - they have to know where we come from,” Aguirre said.
“It was exciting for me, but I could also see it in the players’ faces. Going there was a massive success.”
South Africa Squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss
Defenders: Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Samukele Kabini, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon, Olwethu Makhanya, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Bradley Cross
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Yaya Sithole and Jayden Adams
Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko, Iqraam Rayners and Evidence Makgopa
Head coach Broos is likely to line up with a 4-3-3 formation on Thursday. Burnley forward Lyle Foster is expected to spearhead the South African attack.
Forty years after playing for Belgium against Mexico in the opening match of the 1986 World Cup, Broos returns to the Estadio Azteca as South Africa boss for Thursday’s tournament opener.
“No one in Hollywood could have scripted it better,” Broos said. “I played in a World Cup opener, and now, four decades later, I will be one of the coaches in a World Cup opener.”
The tournament will also bring down the curtain on Broos’s remarkable 56-year career in football.
“I am dreaming of a beautiful ending where South Africa reach the knockout phase of a World Cup for the first time,” he added.