2026 World Cup Set For Spectacular Start

It has been more than 1,200 days since Emiliano Martinez’s goalkeeping heroics helped Argentina beat France on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

And now, after a long wait, we arrive at the 2026 edition in the US, Canada and Mexico, with the latter opening up the tournament tonight against South Africa.

It is, of course, a repeat of the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, with Rafael Marquez and Siphiwe Tshabalala scoring in a 1-1 draw exactly 16 years ago today.

This time around, Mexico head into this one heavy odds-on favourites at 2/5, with Bafana Bafana a rather chunky 15/2 to get up and running with a win this evening.

The match takes place at the recently renovated Azteca Stadium, which only reopened in March after a temporary closure for improvement works.

And not only will South Africa have to contend with a tough Mexican outfit, they also face a battle against a fantastic historical record for the hosts at this stadium

In 141 matches at the Azteca since 1966, Mexico have been beaten only eight times.

South Africa’s preparation for the tournament hasn’t exactly been ideal either, failing to win any of their four friendlies in 2026, against Panama (twice), Nicaragua and Jamaica.

As far as team news is concerned, Raul Rangel is set to start in goal for the hosts, despite experienced Guillermo Ochoa being in the squad for a sixth World Cup. Forward Raul Jimenez, who recently sealed a return to Wolverhampton Wanderers, is set to lead the Mexican line.

For South Africa, they have a fully fit squad to choose from, with Burnley’s Lyle Foster set to provide the underdogs’ chief goal threat.