Mexico vs South Africa players to watch

South Africa will rekindle their rivalry with Mexico on Thursday, June 11, at the 2026 World Cup, 16 years since their last meeting at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg at the 2010 edition.

Bafana Bafana will kick off the World Cup with a tough match against co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, a game that will define how their tournament will pan out.

As South Africans look for the best betting sites to play the game on as well as where to watch and live stream, the contest will be decided by some key players who will be central to how coaches Hugo Broos (South Africa) and Javier Aguirre (Mexico) set up.

So, who are the players to watch from both South Africa and Mexico?

South Africa

Ronwen Williams

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams will be the first name on the team sheet for South Africa, making his 64^th appearance for South Africa.

At 34, he is one of the most experienced in the squad, and will captain the side. Williams is what can be described as a modern goalkeeper as he is not just good at shot-stopping but also the best with the ball at his feet in South Africa.

His ability to play out from the back will add another dimension to South Africa’s game and also help them against Mexico’s relentless press while his calm demeanor adds confidence and stability to the defence.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi

The left-footed defender, 20, is one of the youngest players at the World Cup yet he plays with the confidence and swagger of a veteran.

The former Orlando Pirates centre-back is currently in his debut season in the MLS with Chicago Fire but had already shown his quality before moving Stateside.

Mbokazi is quick, powerful and a no-nonsense defender who takes no prisoners and is not afraid to make hard tackles while he is blessed with a left foot that has scored some cracking goals from distance already for both club and country.

Teboho Mokoena

Perhaps South Africa’s most important player, the central midfielder is ever present for both South Africa and his club Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mokoena has just had a great season, his goal helping Sundowns to the CAF Champions League title win, and it added to a catalogue of brilliant strikes from the 28-year-old.

The midfielder is the link between defence and attack, and his intelligence allows him to sniff out danger and get the team going while he is deadly on set-pieces as well as long range shots.

Oswin Appollis

The most prolific among the Bafana Bafana forwards, the Orlando Pirates winger heads to the World Cup after scoring four goals in his last nine games for the national team while he had 12 and nine assists as his club won the league title.

Quick, clever in and around the box while very clinical, Appollis does not need two chances to score and he is a player who will give the Mexican defence plenty of problems.

Mexico

Guillermo Ochoa

Veteran goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, who will be 41 in July, has built a career on delivering spectacular performances when the world is watching. Known as “Paco Memo,” his legacy is defined by unforgettable World Cup displays, particularly his heroic efforts in Brazil 2014, and a globe-trotting club career that has taken him to France, Spain, Italy, and now Cyprus.

Renowned for his cat-like reflexes and ability to rise to the occasion, Ochoa has often been Mexico’s last line of defence and greatest hope. Off the pitch, he is a calm and reserved family man, a stark contrast to his explosive style in goal.

Edson Alvarez

Edson Alvarez approaches every match as a personal battle. From his breakthrough at Club America, where he famously scored twice in a title-deciding final, to his rise in European football, he has forged a reputation for intensity and presence.

At Ajax, West Ham, and now Fenerbahçe, he has become the kind of player opponents immediately notice—tenacious in the tackle, dominant in duels, and relentless in shielding the defence.

Gilberto Mora

Attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora is quickly becoming a name to watch. Following standout performances at the Under-20 World Cup, the 17-year-old’s reputation has spread far beyond Liga MX, attracting reported interest from top European clubs including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Manchester United.

This level of attention can be overwhelming for a young player, but Mora has so far embraced it. At Club Tijuana, known as Xolos, he displays a maturity beyond his years, combining clean technique with composure under pressure and a relentless drive to advance the game.

Raul Jimenez

After a career-threatening skull fracture in 2020 kept him out for eight months, Fulham striker Raul Jimenez returned to the pitch with a protective headband and a new perspective.

In England, where he also played for Wolves, he is admired for his composure and link-up play, but his story is about more than just goals. Recently, he has faced criticism amid poor national team results and a personal goal drought, excluding penalties.

He managed 10 goals in 43 matches last season and has three goals in his last seven games for Mexico, a record that would perhaps not scare Bafana Bafana.