Mexico vs South Africa live: Follow Bafana Bafana’s World Cup 2026 Group A opener — scores, updates & result

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here — and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are right at the centre of it.

Bafana Bafana face co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca tonight in Group A’s opening fixture, a direct replay of the match that launched the first-ever World Cup on African soil back in 2010.

Related reading:

• Mexico vs South Africa: Match preview, h2h, team news, prediction and betting tips
• Bafana Bafana ready to beat Mexico in the World Cup
• Bafana Bafana ready for 85,000 Mexico fans at the Azteca
• Mexico vs South Africa: Players to watch
• Modiba fitness boost for Bafana ahead of Mexico opener

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Follow Mexico vs South Africa’s Bafana Bafana live match here:

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Sixteen years ago, Siphiwe Tshabalala’s unforgettable 55th-minute strike at Soccer City in Johannesburg stopped a nation and sent South Africa into delirium.

Rafael Márquez equalised 24 minutes later, but the 1-1 draw remains one of the most celebrated results in Bafana Bafana’s history — and one of football’s most iconic opening moments.

Tonight, the same two nations meet again on the biggest stage. The same Mexican coach, Javier Aguirre, is in the dugout. The venue, however, could not be more different.

An 87,523-capacity Estadio Azteca, sitting at 2,200 metres above sea level, will create one of the most hostile atmospheres any South African footballer has ever walked into.

Hugo Broos has confirmed that left-back Aubrey Modiba, who had been a fitness concern after a hamstring injury sustained in the CAF Champions League final, completed a full training session in Pachuca and is available tonight.

His return restores balance to South Africa’s defence and gives Broos the backline he has worked with throughout qualifying.

Mexico go into tonight’s opener on the back of an impressive unbeaten run that included a 5–1 thrashing of Serbia in their final warm-up.

Raúl Jiménez leads a dangerous attack supported by Julián Quiñones and Roberto Alvarado, while Edson Álvarez anchors a midfield built for control and efficient counter-attacking.

Crucially, Raúl Rangel starts in goal after first-choice Luis Ángel Malagón suffered a tournament-ending Achilles injury in March.

Guillermo Ochoa, 40, is in the squad and could become only the third player alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to appear at six World Cups — though he is expected to start on the bench.

For South Africa, the attack centres on the pace and creativity of Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis out wide, with Lyle Foster carrying the physical burden up front. Teboho Mokoena screens the defence from midfield and captain Ronwen Williams commands the goal.

This is Hugo Broos’ final tournament before retirement. For Bafana Bafana, it is the moment 16 years of absence has been building toward.

Stay with Afrik-Foot South Africa for live updates, confirmed line-ups and all the action from Mexico City.