Mexico takes on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in a historic encounter on Thursday night. El Tri enters this home fixture looking to make amends for their dismal Qatar 2022 campaign, where they failed to reach the knockout rounds. Under the leadership of Javier Aguirre, who is in his third World Cup stint with the national team, Mexico bypassed qualification as co-hosts.

Following a recent Gold Cup triumph and an impressive 5-1 thrashing of Serbia last Friday, Mexico arrives with renewed confidence. Unbeaten in their last seven opening games at the World Cup, they will be roared on by a sell-out 83,000-capacity crowd.

South Africa, managed by Belgian boss Hugo Broos, arrive having punched their ticket to the global spectacle for the first time in 16 years. Bafana Bafana topped their CAF qualifying group with 18 points from 10 matches, overcoming teams like Nigeria and Rwanda. Despite their resilient qualification journey, South Africa enters the tournament enduring a four-match winless run-in friendly fixtures, including a recent 1-1 draw with Jamaica.

Mexico vs South Africa Team News and Injury Updates

Mexico

Javier Aguirre has a near-full squad but faces crucial selection dilemmas. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is hoping to become the first player to compete at six World Cups, though he faces stern competition from Raul Rangel. Captain Edson Alvarez is set to earn his 99th international cap at centre-back alongside Cesar Montes.

New Wolves signing Raul Jimenez will lead the attack and is just one goal away from becoming Mexico’s joint-second all-time leading goalscorer. He will likely be joined by Julian Quinones, who recently won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot. Aguirre must also decide between starting 17-year-old sensation Gilberto Mora or opting for experienced midfielders like Orbelin Pineda or Luis Chavez.

South Africa

The visitors received a major boost as Aubrey Modiba is in contention to start at left-back after recovering from a hamstring injury and completing a full training session. At the heart of the defence, Ime Okon and Mbekezeli Mbokazi are expected to start. In midfield, Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, and Yaya Sithole will link up in Broos’s 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system. Up front, Burnley striker Lyle Foster will be heavily supported by Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis, who contributed to a team-high six goals during World Cup qualifying.

While both sides possess varying strengths, South Africa will rely heavily on a pragmatic, counter-attacking approach. Bafana Bafana have found the net in nine of their last 11 matches, meaning Mexico’s defence, which has kept six clean sheets in their last eight games, will be genuinely tested.

Mexico vs South Africa Prediction: Can South Africa Overcome Mexico?

South Africa arrives with the historic weight of returning to the World Cup stage, but playing the opening match against a host nation is one of international football’s toughest assignments.

Hugo Broos’s men will need to remain laser-focused, as the highly hostile and intimidating atmosphere of the Estadio Azteca could prove overwhelming.

Mexico carries the distinct advantage of playing at home, coupled with superior overall squad depth. El Tri’s recent return to form and impressive record in World Cup openers suggest they have the tools and composure to handle the pressure and positively kick-start their campaign.

Final Score Prediction: Mexico 2 – 1 South Africa.