With the 2026 World Cup officially getting underway on Thursday night, all eyes will fall on the Estadio Banorte when Mexico host South Africa.
Ahead of what looks set to be a historic World Cup from North America, there are plenty of intriguing betting promotions and bonuses available.
Starting with the hosts, while Mexico might have found themselves at the heart of a public nightmare when signing off 2025 as they rightfully come under plenty of public scrutiny, El Tricolor have come roaring back in some style. Signing off their pre-World Cup preparations with a major statement of intent last week as they stormed their way to a remarkable 5-1 romp against Serbia in Toluca, Javier Aguirre’s side will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, Mexico will be confident of opening their iconic World Cup adventure by laying down another marker. In fact, along with winning each of their previous three consecutive friendly appearances by an aggregate score of 8-1, Aguirre’s men are unbeaten in all of their eight showdowns so far this calendar year (six wins, two draws).
Making a sensational return to the international stage and set to feature in his sixth World Cup campaign, 40-year-old Guillermo Ochoa could start between the sticks. While it might have been announced last week that Raul Jimenez will be leaving Fulham on a free transfer, the ex-Wolves marksman should lead the line here.
Despite dealing with a string of injury issues during his loan stint with Turkish giants Fenerbahce this season, Edson Alvarez will lead Mexico out on Thursday night and will earn a 98th international cap in front of his own supporters.
South Africa
As for the visitors, watching their AFCON adventure come to a downbeat end back in January as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss against Cameroon in the Round of 16 stage, South Africa have an almighty challenge on their hands this summer. Drastically failing to find any kind of fluidity over the past few months, Hugo Broos’ camp are almost universally expected to lift the wooden spoon in Group A. Signing off their pre-World Cup preparations with a 1-1 stalemate against Jamaica last weekend, Bafana Bafana have failed to win any of their previous five appearances across all competitions. In fact, South Africa are enduring their longest winless rut since way back in the summer of 2022.
While Lyle Foster might have endured a downbeat Premier League campaign as he suffered yet another top-flight relegation at Turf Moor, the 25-year-old will lead the line on Thursday night and should almost all of South Africa’s attacking threat.
Mamelodi goalkeeper Ronwen Williams will lead SA out the Estadio Banorte and earn a 64th international cap. Playing his domestic football with MLS outfit Chicago Fire, 20-year-old Mbekezile Mbokazi will start at the heart of Broos’ defence.
Mexico vs South Africa Key Factors to Consider
- When Mexico and South Africa last met back in June 2010, Thursday’s opponents played out a 1-1 World Cup group stage stalemate in Johannesburg.
- Signing off their pre-World Cup preparations with an empathic 5-1 romp against Serbia last week, Mexico have won their previous three appearances by an aggregate score of 8-1.
- Thursday’s hosts are unbeaten in all of their eight appearances so far this calendar year (six wins, two draws).
- South Africa have failed to win any of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
- SA are enduring their longest winless rut since way back in the summer of 2022.
Laying down a real early summer tournament last week as they cruised their way to a thumping 5-1 romp against Serbia, Mexico will be desperately searching for a repeat performance here. Handed the honour of opening proceedings on Thursday night and set to be backed by a vocal home support at the Estadio Banorte, El Tricolor should be smelling a golden opportunity. Unbeaten in all of their eight showdowns so far this calendar year, we are backing Mexico to get the 2026 World Cup underway with a flurry.
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