Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates coach Muhsin Ertugral believes history, rather than tactics alone, could play a major role when South Africa face hosts Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The World Cup 2026 opener pits host Mexico against South Africa at the Azteca on June 11, a rematch of their 2010 meeting and the first of 104 games.

Noise and global attention of the opening game a major factor for coach Hugo Broos’s World Cup babes in the wood