South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, is set to face Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. The match marks the first time the tournament has been hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to official FIFA match reports, the starting lineup for South Africa included goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, defenders Nyiko Mobbie, Mothobi Mvala, and Siyabonga Ngezana, midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole, and forwards Percy Tau and Lyle Foster. Coach Hugo Broos selected a 4-3-3 formation aiming to counter Mexico's attacking style.
Mexico, as the host nation, fielded a strong lineup featuring goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defenders César Montes and Johan Vásquez, midfielders Edson Álvarez and Luis Chávez, and forwards Raúl Jiménez and Hirving Lozano. The match ended in a 2-1 victory for Mexico, with goals from Jiménez and Lozano, while South Africa's goal was scored by Tau.
The opening ceremony featured performances by Mexican artists and a tribute to the country's football history. The match drew a crowd of over 87,000 spectators at the iconic stadium, which has hosted two previous World Cup finals.
