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Predict the 2026 World Cup your way
Mexico and South Africa share Group A at the 2026 World Cup and meet in the group stage. Both sides are fighting to reach the knockouts. On the FIFA ranking, Mexico are the favourite — a 36-place gap.
Mexico - South Africa will be played on Thursday 11th June 2026 at 15:00 ET in Estadio Azteca, Mexico-Stad. ✓ Officially confirmed.
| Mexico 🇲🇽 | Metric | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| #15 | FIFA Ranking | #51 |
| Group A | Group | Group A |
| CONCACAF | Confederation | CAF |
| Javier Aguirre | Head coach | Hugo Broos |
| 17 | WC appearances | 4 |
| Quarter-final (1970, 1986) | Best WC | Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010) |
Mexico open the 2026 World Cup at Estadio Azteca — for the third time host, a World Cup first. The crowd hopes for one thing: that this is the tournament where El Tri finally breaks the 'maldición del quinto partido'. Seven World Cups in a row they've fallen in the Round of 16. Aguirre is head coach for the third time — a veteran who knows the psychology. Lozano (Chucky), Edson Álvarez and Santiago Giménez form the core. Group A is favourable in principle: South Korea and Czechia are the real rivals, South Africa sits below them. On home soil, for 100,000 fans at Azteca, with the whole of Latin America watching: a quarter-final would be historic. Breaking the curse is the emotional goal of the whole tournament.
Bafana Bafana are back at the World Cup after 16 years. Strong growth under Broos; third at the 2024 Africa Cup. With Mokoena (Lyon), Mbeumo and Williams. In Group A, advancing is reachable; getting past the group stage for the first time is the dream goal.
Set your 10 sliders and decide which teams win according to your model — including this group-stage match.
Start predicting →Yes — Mexico and South Africa meet in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup (Group A).
On the FIFA world ranking, Mexico (#15) are favoured over South Africa (#51). The gap is 36 ranking places.
Mexico: Quarter-final (1970, 1986) (17 World Cup appearances). South Africa: Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010) (4 World Cup appearances).
Mexico are coached by Javier Aguirre. South Africa are coached by Hugo Broos.
Mexico play in Group A. South Africa play in Group A.
Last updated: 2026-06-07