Mexico v South Africa Prediction: Evens for goals to flow in opener

The opening match of World Cup 2026 sees co-hosts Mexico face South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

This Group A clash is the starting point for the eagerly-awaited tournament and Mexico, with home advantage, are expected to demonstrate from the off why they are favourites to win a World Cup group also containing South Korea and Czech Republic.

More.
Offers.
Than.
Ever!

A new offer will be available every day of the World Cup!

— bet365 (@bet365) June 8, 2026

Mexico v South Africa Tips Summary

Best Bet - Mexico to win to nil @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 goals @ 6/5
Bet Builder - Mexico to win, Raul Jimenez to score anytime & Aubrey Modiba to be booked @ 15/1

Mexico v South Africa Prediction

Best Bet: Mexico to win to nil @ 1/1

El Tri approach the tournament in fine fettle. Not only obviously boosted by their status as co-hosts, Javier Aguirre's side are on a strong eight-game unbeaten streak.

While they have had to prepare with friendlies in the build-up to the competition, they have nevertheless secured some eye-catching victories to suggest they will be a force to be reckoned with on home soil this summer.

Included in that recent unbeaten run are three straight wins in their last three friendlies, with last week's 5-1 success over Serbia arguably the most impressive result of all after previous narrow successes over Ghana and Australia - two teams also preparing for the tournament.

They have also drawn with tough European outfits Belgium and Portugal this year, and their fine recent form has been characterised by solidity in defence as Mexico have kept six clean sheets in those last eight outings.

South Africa, in contrast, are struggling for goals and have failed to win any of their last five games.

The Bafana Bafana's two recent warm-ups have been uninspiring draws with Nicaragua (0-0) and Jamaica (1-1), and across this period they have hit just four goals.

Lacking punch up top is a recipe for disaster in any major tournament and they look set to struggle going forward in Mexico City against opponents fired up to do well in front of their passionate fans.

Alternative Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 6/5

We are expecting Mexico to get off to a flyer and they can make a statement start by scoring three or more at the Azteca against much weaker opponents.

This opening game is a reverse of the first match of World Cup 2010 - hosted by South Africa - when Mexico had to rely on a late equaliser to claim a draw.

However, the teams have gone in different directions since with Mexico 14th in the FIFA rankings, while South Africa have slipped to 60th in that table.

It should be a routine win for the hosts here, and they can breach SA's defence several times.

South Africa have conceded eight goals in their last six matches, while the Mexicans have been fairly freescoring of late, notching nine goals in their last four outings.

Mexico v South Africa Bet Builder Tip

• Mexico to win

• Raul Jimenez to score anytime

• Aubrey Modiba to be booked
  Pays @ 15/1

The starting point for the Bet Builder for the tournament-opener is for co-hosts Mexico to kick off their campaign with a win.

Mexico, who have never progressed further than the quarter-finals of a World Cup, should dominate this game against a nation ranked 46 places beneath them by FIFA.

Next, backing Wolves forward Raul Jimenez to score anytime boosts the odds.

Jimenez is Mexico's biggest goal hope and, even though he's now 35, the striker has just come off the back of club campaign in which he netted 10 times in total for former club Fulham.

He has been on fire for his country in the past 12 months or so, too, with 10 of his 45 international goals coming in his 17 appearances since the start of 2025.

The striker scored against Serbia last time out and is the anytime goalscorer pick fancied to land on Thursday.

Finally, it is worth keeping an eye on cards throughout the tournament with referees being given some new directives that could result in a lot more yellows and reds being flashed.

South Africa defender Aubrey Modiba catches the eye as a potential card magnet.

He has been booked six times on the international stage during his 41 appearances, while domestically for Mamelodi Sundowns he received seven yellow cards across the most recent club campaign.

Key Match Stats

• Mexico are ranked 14th in FIFA's list - South Africa are down in 60th place

• The last competitive meeting between the sides was the World Cup opener in 2010, which South Africa hosted, and finished 1-1

• Mexico are on an eight game unbeaten run - winning five times - all in friendlies

• SA have failed to win any of their last five matches

• Raul Jimenez is third on Mexico's all-time goalscorer list, with 45 from 124 caps

View details of how to watch Mexico v South Africa on site.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.