The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun, with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa in the tournament's opening match at a packed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This edition marks the first time the World Cup features 48 teams and 104 matches, expanding the competition's scale.
Match Overview
Mexico, known as El Tri, starts their Group A campaign against a South African side making their first World Cup appearance since hosting the event in 2010. The match also highlights two significant individual milestones: veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa becomes the first player ever named to six different FIFA World Cup squads, while 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora is the youngest player at the 2026 tournament.
Mexico's Line-up and Formation
Head coach Javier Aguirre employs a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to control possession and dictate the tempo from the start. The starting XI includes goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, defenders Israel Reyes, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, and Jesús Gallardo, midfielders Érik Lira, Álvaro Fidalgo, and Brian Gutiérrez, and forwards Roberto Alvarado, Raúl Jiménez, and Julián Quiñones. The system emphasizes aggressive, front-foot play, with full-backs pushing high and Lira anchoring the midfield. Key substitutes include Santiago Giménez, captain Edson Álvarez, Alexis Vega, Gilberto Mora, and Guillermo Ochoa.
South Africa's Line-up and Formation
Manager Hugo Broos opts for a conservative 5-3-2 formation, designed to frustrate Mexico and capitalize on counter-attacks. The starting XI features goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, wing-backs Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba, centre-backs Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ime Okon, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, midfielders Teboho Mokoena, Siphephelo Sithole, and Jayden Adams, and strikers Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners. The five-man defence aims to stay compact, with wing-backs balancing defensive duties and quick transitions.
Guillermo Ochoa's Historic Milestone
Despite being named to his sixth World Cup squad, Ochoa starts on the bench as Aguirre selects Raúl Rangel as the first-choice goalkeeper. Ochoa has been part of Mexico's World Cup squads in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026. He has confirmed his retirement from international football after the tournament.
Gilberto Mora's Potential Debut
Mora, the youngest player at the World Cup at 17, is not in the starting XI but is available as a substitute. He holds records as Mexico's youngest senior international and the youngest player to win a senior international tournament, having helped Mexico win the Concacaf Gold Cup at 16. If he plays, he would become the youngest Mexican to appear in a World Cup match.
Match Favourites and Context
Mexico enters the tournament in strong form, having won all three pre-World Cup warm-up matches, scoring eight goals and conceding one. They are favourites to advance from Group A, which also includes South Korea and Czechia. South Africa, without a win in their last five matches, seeks their first-ever World Cup opening-match victory after a loss to France in 1998 and draws with Paraguay in 2002 and Mexico in 2010. The two teams previously drew 1-1 in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup.
