Mexico vs. South Africa: A Rematch of the 2010 World Cup Opener

Charlie Zschau Updated: 11 hours ago

The opening match of the 2026 World Cup feels eerily familiar, because it is.

The opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was one of the most notable opening matches in recent memory, and 2026 will be a rematch for the ages. South Africa became the first African nation to host the prestigious World Cup tournament in 2010, and left a major impact on the soccer world.

South Africa hosted Mexico at the FNB-Stadium in Johannesburg in the first match of 2010, and although the game ended in a 1-1 draw, it was a remarkable opening match. Now in 2026, the Mexico national team will host South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

In 2010, the 'Bafana Bafana' hosted the tournament, earned their third ever qualification, and were huge underdogs against a difficult Mexican team.

The atmosphere in the stadium for the opening match has been unrivaled since, with the buzzing hum of the Vuvuzela's filling every possible void. The match was scoreless at halftime, but South African winger Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scoring with a screamer into the back of the net in the 55th minute.

Johannesburg and the entire country of South Africa exploded in joy, but that elation soon turned to disappointment when El Tri's Rafa Marquez buried the equalizer in the 79th minute.

The Bafana Bafana did not fold under the pressure, and were still joyous with point on the first day of the tournament. This joy set the tone for the remainder of the 2010 World Cup, and led to one of the most exciting celebrations of the world's game to date.

South Africa would then go on the lose to Uruguay, but pulled off an outstanding upset of France in the final group stage game that will go down has one of the most impressive wins in South Africa's history. The Bafana Bafana finished with four points but did not advance to the Round of 16.

Mexico vs. South Africa: 2026 World Cup Opening Match Preview

Sixteen years after the 1-1 draw in Johannesburg, Mexico will host the reverse fixture in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, in Group A. 2026 will be the first time that South Africa will play in the World Cup since 2010.

Bafana Bafana manager Hugo Broos was the man tasked with taking the country back to the top of international competition, and has restored the confidence in the team that seemed to disappear after 2010.

Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo 'Memo' Ochoa will be the only player to take part in both matches, making a record breaking sixth World Cup roster. Ochoa was on the bench for the 2010 World Cup opener.

Ochoa, now 40 years old, will likely find himself on the bench again in 2026 behind Chivas goalkeeper Raul Rangel. Raul Jimenez will likely take the place of Rafa Marquez up front, with Julian Quinones and Brian Gutierrez flanking him on the wings.

South Africa's most important players are veteran goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, and Burnley's center forward Lyle Foster. Bafana Bafana players that have the opportunity to become national hero's like Tshabalala are Oswin Appolis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi, and Kamogelo Sebelebele who all play on the wing or as attacking midfielders in their home country for the Orlando Pirates.

Budding MLS defenders Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire) and Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union) could also lineup in defence against Mexico, with the 20-year-old Mbokazi the more likely to have his name called.

The 2026 opening match will be the first time the two nations have met since 2010.

Mexico vs. South Africa Start Time, Date & Location

The World Cup opening match will be played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM MT / 12:00 PM PT).