The wait is over. World Cup 2026 kicks off today — the largest edition of football's showpiece tournament in history, spread across three co-host nations and 104 matches. And fittingly, it opens with a fixture steeped in history.

Mexico face South Africa at the iconic Azteca in Mexico City, a Group A encounter that carries echoes of South Africa 2010, when these two sides played out a memorable 1-1 draw in Johannesburg. That match produced one of the tournament's most iconic moments — Siphiwe Tshabalala's thunderous opening strike for Bafana Bafana that sent the host nation into delirium.

Home fire at the Azteca

The atmosphere inside the Azteca is expected to be electric, with a capacity crowd roaring behind El Tri from the first whistle. Mexico are led for a third spell by coach Javier Aguirre, who will be determined to avoid a repeat of their group-stage exit four years ago.

Mexico have twice reached the World Cup quarter-finals — in 1970 and 1986 — and both times the Azteca served as a fortress. The passionate crowd of Mexico City will be acutely aware of that history, and Aguirre will look to harness that energy from the outset.

The focal point of Mexico's attack is Raul Jimenez, 35, who arrives at this tournament with 45 goals in 124 senior international appearances. The striker completed a free-transfer return to Wolverhampton Wanderers this week, though he has already seen a managerial change at club level. Aguirre's system is built around defensive organisation while ensuring the supply line to Jimenez remains open.

Bafana Bafana no easy opponents

South Africa will not arrive at the Azteca as willing victims. Under retiring head coach Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana have been difficult to break down — they rarely conceded multiple goals throughout 2025, though they have been breached twice on two separate occasions since the new year.

Broos has built a side with genuine competitive spirit, and South Africa will be under no illusions about the size of the occasion. They travel to Mexico City to compete, not merely to participate.

Opening fixtures at major tournaments are often tight and cagey affairs, but the sheer intensity of the Azteca crowd and Mexico's burning desire to make a statement at home tip the balance. Prediction: Mexico 2-0 South Africa.