Mexico vs South Africa

Mexico have never lost a World Cup match at Estadio Azteca (6W-2D-0L) across the 1970-2026 tournaments.

Mexico are unbeaten in seven World Cup matches at the Estadio Azteca, winning five and drawing two with a 12-3 goal difference.

Mexico have never lost a World Cup opening match on home soil, drawing 0-0 with the Soviet Union in 1970 and defeating Belgium 2-1 in 1986.

Mexico will become the first nation to host three men's World Cups. Their previous two hosting campaigns, in 1970 and 1986, both ended in the quarter-finals.

Mexico failed to get out of the group in 2022 after seven consecutive Round-of-16 appearances from 1994 to 2018.

Mexico have played nine World Cup matches on home soil, losing only once (5 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss) while scoring 12 goals and conceding 6.

Mexico have played more World Cup matches at Estadio Azteca than any other nation (8).

Mexico return to Estadio Azteca for the 2026 World Cup, 40 years after their last match there — a 2-0 win over Bulgaria in the 1986 round of 16.

Mexico have failed to score in 4 of their last 5 World Cup matches.

Mexico can equal their national World Cup record of 2 consecutive World Cup wins with a win (currently on 1).

Mexico are unbeaten in their 8 internationals played in 2026 (6W-2D-0L).

Mexico have won their last 3 international matches, going 3W-0D-0L with 8 goals scored and 1 conceded.

Mexico are unbeaten in their last 8 international matches, going 6W-2D-0L with 15 goals scored and 2 conceded.

South Africa can win two consecutive World Cup games for the first time ever

South Africa have never advanced beyond the first group stage in their three World Cup appearances (1998, 2002 and 2010 as hosts).

South Africa have yet to win a match in 2026, drawing 2 and losing 2 from 4 recent internationals (0W-2D-2L).

South Africa have won none of their last 4 international matches, going 0W-2D-2L with 3 goals scored and 5 conceded.

South Africa have never advanced beyond the first group stage in 3 applicable World Cup group-stage appearances.

South Africa have conceded in each of their last 4 World Cup matches, letting in 8 goals in total.

South Africa's World Cup opening-match record is 0W-2D-1L: they lost 3-0 to France in 1998, drew 2-2 with Paraguay in 2002, and drew 1-1 with Mexico in 2010.

Mexico and South Africa have met 4 times in overall international fixtures: Mexico have won 2, with 1 draw(s) and 1 win(s) for South Africa.

Mexico and South Africa have met 1 times in World Cup matches: Mexico have won 0, with 1 draw(s) and 0 win(s) for South Africa.

The Estadio Azteca will host the opening game, with the stadium hosting its 20th match in the competition – more than any other venue in history.

El Tri have not lost an opening game at the men’s World Cup since defeat against Norway in 1994, going unbeaten in seven such games since (W5 D2)

Mexico and South Africa drew 1-1 when they opened the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg — they meet again as the two sides that kick off the 2026 edition.

South Africa’s World Cup have never won their opening-match: 0W-2D-1L (3-6 goals)