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Mexico vs South Africa Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - El Tri to launch World Cup with a win
Mexico will open the 2026 FIFA World Cup against South Africa at Estadio Banorte. Historically strong at home and currently unbeaten in eight games, Mexico is favored to win with a solid defense and in-form striker Raul Jimenez likely to score. South Africa, winless in recent matches, faces an uphill battle. The recommendation: Mexico to win to nil, possibly with a narrow 1-0 margin. Fans can catch all the action via the live stream, with betting available for the fixture.
- Mexico vs South Africa predictions for Thursday's World Cup Group A game
- Mexico in strong form, while South Africa struggling on four-game winless run
- Prediction: Mexico Win To Nil; Raul Jimenez 1st Goalscorer
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 5.00am AEST on Friday June 12
Mexico vs South Africa Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
The 2026 FIFA World Cup finally gets underway as host nation Mexico welcome South Africa to the Estadio Banorte on Thursday in Group A action (Friday morning AEST).
It's a repeat of the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with the script flipped and Mexico now hosting. A 1-1 share of the spoils played out on that day, with both teams hoping to secure a vital opening three points this time around, which would propel them a long way towards qualification in the first-ever 48-team World Cup.
I can't go past the hosts here. Mexico are unbeaten in their eight games in 2026, winning six and keeping a clean sheet in six. El Tri traditionally perform well at home - their two World Cup quarter-final appearances came on their own soil, while the high altitude is also an advantage and perhaps why manager Javier Aguirre has opted to select almost half his squad from the local league.
Meanwhile, South Africa's recent form isn't encouraging at all - failure to score and beat Nicaragua, a loss to Panama and a draw with Jamaica. Mexico is levels above those three nations and their defence is proving difficult to break down at the moment. BTTS - No and Mexico win to nil are the two main plays for this clash.
Veteran striker Raul Jimenez remains the most likely in front of goal for the hosts, while there's also a chance Mexico will be nervous in front of a capacity 87,000 crowd in a match they are expected to win - a cagey 1-0 correct score bet also appeals.
Mexico vs South Africa Stats & Trends
- Mexico are unbeaten in their last eight games, winning six
- Mexico have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six wins
- Mexico have seen BTTS - No in six of their last eight games
- Mexico are unbeaten in their last seven World Cup openers, winning five
- South Africa have only scored four goals in their last five games vs much weaker opposition
- South Africa failed to score vs Nicaragua in a recent friendly
- Raul Jimenez has scored 16 goals in his last 26 games for Mexico & was on target last time out vs Serbia
- Three of Mexico's last six wins have been by a 1-0 score
- Three of South Africa's last four defeats inside 90 mins have been by a 1-0 score
Mexico vs South Africa Head To Head
This will be the first meeting between the nations since they launched the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Rafael Marquez cancelled out Siphiwe Tshabalala's famous strike for a 1-1 draw.
Mexico Form Analysis
Mexico hold the unwanted record of playing the most matches in World Cup history without ever lifting the trophy (60). After a long run of R16 exits, El Tri suffered a disappointing group stage exit at Qatar 2022.
Now, the first ever nation to host three World Cups, Mexico will be hoping to erase the memories of four years ago and once again advance into the knockout phase - which they should be confident of doing in a kind Group A that also features South Korea and Czechia.
Mexico didn't need to go through a qualifying campaign for this World Cup, entering automatically alongside USA and Canada as the three host nations.
Javier Aguirre's side have been in strong form throughout 2026, holding European heavyweights Belgium and Portugal to draws before conquering the likes of Australia (1-0) and Serbia (5-1) in pre-tournament friendlies.
Mexico Team News
Raul Jimenez would become Mexico's joint all-time leading scorer (46) if he can find the back of the net in this game, with the departing Fulham striker certain to start up front.
Mexico Squad
Roberto Alvarado and Julian Quinones are likely to join him in attack, with the latter winning the Golden Boot this past season in the Saudi Pro League with 33 goals in just 31 outings.
Edson Alvarez will captain the side in his 99th appearance for El Tri in the centre of defence. It will be interesting to see if 17-year-old prodigy Gilberto Mora gets a start in midfield.
Mexico Squad
| Position | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Raúl Rangel | 26 | 14 | 0 | Guadalajara |
| GK | Carlos Acevedo | 30 | 7 | 0 | Santos Laguna |
| GK | Guillermo Ochoa | 40 | 152 | 0 | AEL Limassol |
| DF | Jorge Sánchez | 28 | 59 | 3 | PAOK |
| DF | César Montes | 29 | 67 | 4 | Lokomotiv Moscow |
| DF | Edson Álvarez | 28 | 98 | 7 | Fenerbahçe |
| DF | Johan Vásquez | 27 | 46 | 3 | Genoa |
| DF | Israel Reyes | 26 | 34 | 2 | América |
| DF | Mateo Chávez | 22 | 10 | 0 | AZ |
| DF | Jesús Gallardo | 31 | 121 | 3 | Toluca |
| MF | Érik Lira | 26 | 25 | 0 | Cruz Azul |
| MF | Luis Romo | 31 | 63 | 4 | Guadalajara |
| MF | Álvaro Fidalgo | 29 | 4 | 0 | Real Betis |
| MF | Orbelín Pineda | 30 | 92 | 12 | AEK Athens |
| MF | Obed Vargas | 20 | 6 | 0 | Atlético Madrid |
| MF | Gilberto Mora | 17 | 8 | 0 | Tijuana |
| MF | Luis Chávez | 30 | 45 | 5 | Dynamo Moscow |
| MF | Roberto Alvarado | 27 | 67 | 5 | Guadalajara |
| MF | Brian Gutiérrez | 22 | 7 | 2 | Guadalajara |
| FW | Raúl Jiménez | 35 | 124 | 45 | Fulham |
| FW | Alexis Vega | 28 | 52 | 7 | Toluca |
| FW | Santiago Giménez | 25 | 47 | 6 | Milan |
| FW | Armando González | 23 | 7 | 1 | Guadalajara |
| FW | Julián Quiñones | 29 | 22 | 2 | Al-Qadsiah |
| FW | César Huerta | 25 | 26 | 3 | Anderlecht |
| FW | Guillermo Martínez | 31 | 12 | 3 | UNAM |
South Africa Form Analysis
South Africa are taking part in their fourth World Cup tournament and their first since the competition was staged on their turf back in 2010.
Despite failing to win half of their final round qualifying matches, Bafana Bafana topped their group (which also featured Nigeria) courtesy of a 3-0 victory on the final matchday over Rwanda.
Hugo Broos' side reached the R16 of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year before going out to Cameroon.
Since then, it's been slim pickings, with South Africa going winless in their last four outings, including dour draws with the likes of Panama, Jamaica and Nicaragua.
South Africa Team News
Oswin Appollis is the main man for Bafana Bafana, with the Orlando Pirates winger contributing to six goals during qualifying (four assists) and two goals. The 24-year-old winger also scored two goals in four appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Burnley striker Lyle Foster will lead the line after scoring in the 1-1 draw with Jamaica. Aubrey Modiba could start at fullback after recovering from a hamstring injury.
South Africa Squad
| Position | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Ronwen Williams | 34 | 62 | 0 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| GK | Sipho Chaine | 29 | 3 | 0 | Orlando Pirates |
| GK | Ricardo Goss | 32 | 4 | 0 | Siwelele |
| DF | Thabang Matuludi | 27 | 2 | 0 | Polokwane City |
| DF | Khulumani Ndamane | 22 | 5 | 0 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| DF | Aubrey Modiba | 30 | 44 | 3 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| DF | Mbekezeli Mbokazi | 20 | 10 | 1 | Chicago Fire |
| DF | Samukele Kabini | 22 | 5 | 0 | Molde |
| DF | Nkosinathi Sibisi | 30 | 19 | 0 | Orlando Pirates |
| DF | Khuliso Mudau | 31 | 32 | 1 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| DF | Ime Okon | 22 | 7 | 1 | Hannover 96 |
| DF | Olwethu Makhanya | 22 | 0 | 0 | Philadelphia Union |
| DF | Kamogelo Sebelebele | 23 | 2 | 0 | Orlando Pirates |
| DF | Bradley Cross | 25 | 0 | 0 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| MF | Teboho Mokoena | 29 | 51 | 9 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| MF | Thalente Mbatha | 26 | 14 | 3 | Orlando Pirates |
| MF | Yaya Sithole | 27 | 27 | 1 | Tondela |
| MF | Jayden Adams | 25 | 4 | 0 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| FW | Oswin Appollis | 24 | 25 | 8 | Orlando Pirates |
| FW | Tshepang Moremi | 25 | 9 | 1 | Orlando Pirates |
| FW | Lyle Foster | 26 | 26 | 11 | Burnley |
| FW | Relebohile Mofokeng | 21 | 12 | 0 | Orlando Pirates |
| FW | Themba Zwane | 36 | 53 | 12 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| FW | Thapelo Maseko | 22 | 9 | 1 | AEL Limassol |
| FW | Iqraam Rayners | 30 | 13 | 4 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| FW | Evidence Makgopa | 26 | 26 | 6 | Orlando Pirates |
Mexico vs South Africa Live Stream
Watch and bet on Mexico vs South Africa live football from the World Cup.
You can watch and bet on the match live at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026 with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access.
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming on bet365 is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.
Verdict
Mexico are tipped to launch the World Cup with narrow win, keeping a clean sheet. Jimenez can continue his red-hot scoring form.
BTTS - No
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Mexico
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Raul Jimenez
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Mexico 1-0
Correct Score
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