For the first time in 40 years, the FIFA World Cup is back at the Estadio Azteca. Tonight, tens of thousands of fans will pack into one of the world’s most famous venues, some clad in South Africa’s greens and yellows and most in Mexico’s red, white, and green. The opening match of the 2026 World Cup is a rematch of the opening match in 2010, when Bafana Bafana played out a 1-1 draw with El Tri in Johannesburg.
Now, the lineups are set. Javier Aguirre and Hugo Broos have both chosen the 11 men who will start the match this afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local).
Mexico is a -235 favorite to take all three points at DraftKings Sportsbook, and South Africa is +750. There are +340 odds that the teams will share the spoils.
Full Lineups
Mexico (4-1-4-1)
Raul Rangel; Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Israel Reyes, Jesus Gallardo; Erik Lira; Alvaro Figaldo, Brian Gutierrez, Julian Quiñones, Roberto Alvarado; Raúl Jiménez
South Africa (5-3-2)
Ronwen Williams; Aubrey Modiba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khuliso Mudau, Ime Okon; Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams; Lyle Foster; Iqraam Rayners
