All eyes are on Mexico and the Estadio Azteca as the 2026 World Cup kicks off Thursday with El Tri taking on South Africa's Bafana Bafana in the Group A opener. Follow the match, opening ceremony and FRANCE 24's special coverage.
Expected lineups for Mexico - South Africa Mexico: Rangel; Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Lira; Gutierrez, Alvarado, Fidalgo, Quinones; Jimenez. South Africa: Williams; Matuludi, Okon, Makhanya, Kabini; Sithole, Mbatha; Sebelebele, Mofokeng, Moremi; Foster.
For the third time in its history, Mexico's iconic Azteca Stadium will host the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday at 3pm ET as Mexico take on South Africa in the first of the tournament's 104 matches. The Bafana Bafana and El Tri faced each other in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, drawing 1-1 in Johannesburg. South Africa's most recent major tournament ended in January when they were knocked out by Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16. Mexico are unbeaten in their last eight matches, equalling their longest undefeated run heading into a World Cup and giving Javier Aguirre's side a timely boost in confidence ahead of the tournament. More than 80,000 fans are expected to pack the renovated Azteca Stadium for the opening match in what promises to be a festive atmosphere. The match will be preceded by a 15-minute opening ceremony featuring, among others, Colombian superstar Shakira, who will perform the World Cup anthem "Dai Dai" alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy. (FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
