Co-hosts Mexico have the honour of entertaining South Africa in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup and are fancied to give their fanatical fans another night to remember at Estadio Azteca .
El Tri sent 110,00 supporters home happy when beating Belgium 2-1 first up at this venue 40 years ago and the atmosphere is set to be red-hot once more.
With tougher-looking games against South Korea and the Czech Republic to follow, Javier Aguirre ’s men would no doubt love to hit the ground running here.
We’re happy to take 5/4 for the Group A favourites to win by more than one clear goal for our initial Mexico vs South Africa prediction.
Betting Odds
Mexico v South Africa Betting Odds – 2026 World Cup
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Mexico | 2/5 | 71.4% |
South Africa | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Draw | 16/5 | 23.8% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Mexico are favourites at 2/5 to beat South Africa , who are 7/1 for the win, with the draw at 16/5.
How to Watch
How to Watch Mexico v South Africa
Thursday’s eagerly-awaited contest is scheduled to kick-off at 20:00 BST and will be broadcast live on ITV 1 in the UK.
Head-to-head
Mexico v South Africa - Head-to-head
El Tri came out on top in the first two encounters between these teams, prevailing 4-0 in a 1993 friendly and 4-2 during the US Nike Cup in 2000 .
However, Bafana Bafana hit back with a 2-1 CONCACAF Gold Cup upset in 2005 and they drew 1-1 in the 2010 World Cup curtain-raiser in South Africa .
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Form guides
Mexico Form Guide
Mexico are hosting the World Cup for a record third time and can take heart from having reached the quarter-finals on the previous two occasions. El Tri may no longer have as many players plying their trade at the world’s top clubs but experienced Fulham forward Raul Jimenez is certainly one familiar face.
With head coach Aguirre back in charge and two consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cup triumphs in the bank, they have enjoyed an excellent build-up. March brought draws with Portugal and Belgium , while Mexico have enjoyed a hat-trick of wins in more recent warm-up games, beating Ghana 2-0 , Australia 1-0 and Serbia 5-1 .
Defender Johan Vasquez scored in the last couple of those victories and also hit the target in last season’s final Serie A appearance for Genoa against AC Milan . Let’s go for a bit of value in our World Cup opening match tips and take 8/1 for the in-form centre-half to get on the scoresheet at any time again.
South Africa Form Guide
Bafana Bafana are back at the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament 16 years ago. They overcame a costly administrative error that saw them docked three points to qualify ahead of Nigeria but have never made it past the group stage in three previous attempts.
A squad largely made up of home-based players does feature Burnley front man Lyle Foster , but all the signs are that head coach Hugo Broos has a huge job on his hands. Mamelodi Sundowns did show plenty of enterprise at last year’s Club World Cup and South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign featured some open encounters, beating Angola 2-1 and Zimbabwe 3-2 before losing 2-1 to Cameroon in the round of 16 .
Bafana Bafana may just be in too deep at this level, though, so a BOYLE Sports price boost of 9/2 for El Tri to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 completes our Mexico vs South Africa tips.
Betting Tips
Mexico v South Africa Betting Tips
Mexico to win by more than one clear goal @ 5/4
Johan Vasquez to score at anytime @ 8/1
Mexico to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 @ 9/2
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