FIFA World Cup 2026 | Mexico vs Bafana Bafana: Preview and prediction

The wait is finally over. Mexico play host to Bafana Bafana in the opener of FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday, 11 June.

Here is everything you need to know – and how we predict things will play out.

LIVE | FIFA World Cup 2026: Mexico vs South Africa

MEXICO VS BAFANA BAFANA: THE PREVIEW

Bafana Bafana will step onto football’s grandest stage when they take on tournament co-hosts Mexico in their opening match of this year’s World Cup.

It is a rematch of their iconic opener when South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010 – 16 years ago.

For Hugo Broos’ men, it is more than just a football match, it’s the culmination of years of progress, belief and relentless hard work.

Standing in their way is a passionate Mexican side backed by a sea of green, white and red.

The atmosphere promises to be electric. The stakes could hardly be higher.

A positive result would not only ignite South Africa’s World Cup campaign, but also provide a significant boost ahead of crucial clashes against Czech Republic and South Korea.

Conversely, defeat would leave Bafana Bafana with little margin for error in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.

There is everything to play for as Mexico will want to kick-start their campaign with a win in front of over 80 000 passionate fans who have waited years for this historic moment.

World Cups create heroes. They create memories. They create moments that live forever.

Tonight, an entire nation will dare to dream as Bafana Bafana chase history against Mexico under the bright lights of football’s biggest stage.

Underdogs

There is no doubt that Bafana Bafana enter this match as the underdogs. Mexico are the clear favourites and for several reasons.

In addition to being the hosts, Mexico are ranked substantially higher than South Africa.

Mexico are 14th in the world according to the latest FIFA rankings. Meanwhile, South Africa enter the match ranked 60th – a full 46 positions below their opponents.

Meanwhile, the form book makes for grim reading if you are a Bafana Bafana fan, while it makes for positive reading if you support Mexico.

South Africa have won just one of their last six matches, along with with three draws and two losses.

They also failed to win any of their three World Cup friendlies after they drew against Nicaragua at home (0-0); as well as Panama (1-1) in their first encounter before losing the second match 2-1.

They also lost 2-1 to Cameroon in the Round of 16 at AFCON.

Their last victory was a 3-2 win over Zimbabwe in the group stages of AFCON on 29 December 2025.

In stark contrast, Mexico head into the opener is fine form, fresh off the back of three victories in a row.

Their most recent victory was a 5-1 demolition job over Serbia which followed victories over Australia (1-0) and Ghana (2-0).

So, based on recent form, the latest FIFA rankings and being hosts, I believe Mexico will be too strong for Bafana Bafana.