The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off with a familiar fixture, as hosts Mexico faced the hungry South Africa on Thursday 11th June, in the Mexico City Stadium, in one of the dirtiest opening games the FIFA World Cup has seen. What did it tell us about the first of the three host nations?
Mexico, pragmatic yet successful.
Ranked 15th in the World Rankings, hosts Mexico are in a bright run of form, going unbeaten in three friendlies, and this form continued in their premier game of the competition.
In their international friendlies, they first took apart Serbia, winning 5-1 in their home stadium of Toluca with star striker Raul Jimenez bagging a goal. Mexico were also triumphant against Australia, with a 1-0 victory, and Ghana, also a 1-0 win.
This form continued with a 2-0 victory against South Africa, with star striker Raul Jimenez slotting a coolly placed header into the back of Ronwen Williams’ goal. However a 2-0 victory with a clean sheet does not tell the story of the game, with referee Wilton Sampaio dishing out three red cards in the contest.
The newly appointed Wolves striker is one of Mexico’s strongest players, and the player that defines the nation. After his gut wrenching fractured skull injury in 2020, he represents not only goals, but an eternal determination to survive. Bringing drive and a quiet leadership to the team, he partners AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez in a 4-4-2 formation.
Mexico v South Africa 2-0 scoreline
A lightning young player to watch for Mexico against upcoming opposition Czechia is midfielder Brian Gutierrez. The attacking midfielder plays for Chivas in Liga MX Apertura (Mexican first tier), after a successful spell at Chicago, scoring a fantastic eleven and assisting four in his debut year in MLS at just 20 years old.
He was everywhere on the park against South Africa. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, he was an integral cog to the Aguirre system with endless running, tenacity and bite, even making the first goal after nicking the ball smartly from Yaya Sithole for Quinones to slot home. He also became the first MLS homegrown player to start the opening match of a FIFA World Cup game for Mexico since Carlos Salcedo in 2018.
Youngest player
Furthermore Mike McGrath, football reporter for The Telegraph, believes: “Gilberto Mora is a player to look out for from Mexico. He is the youngest player at the World Cup and European clubs are looking at him.” Despite him coming off from the bench, he showed promise in his twenty minute cameo with a couple of smart touches, turns and neat passes.
These types of players should flourish on the big stage with a manager such as Aguirre, as his sharp, fast transitional football style suits these calibre players. Playing with a more pragmatic style, he believes that “Playing pretty football does not guarantee you success; playing as a team knowing how to compete does.”
Flags of the World Cup competing countries
South Africa’s poor start.
After devastatingly missing out on the last three World Cup outings, the Bafana Bafana boys are back. Managed by Hugo Broos, they have won one and drawn two from four international friendlies heading into the tournament.
The South African team has greatly evolved from their standings at the 2010 world cup, where they stood 83rd, and they now rank 60th in the globe. Appointed in 2021, the Belgian manager has done an exceptional job, helping South Africa qualify for their latest of three World Cups.
One of their most recognisable strikers, Lyle Foster, brings a strong attacking presence to the Bafana Bafana. He’s fast and can be dangerous in the buildup, but his teammates need to find ways to get him the ball, which they struggled to do in their match against Mexico.
While the style of the South Africans is robust, playing in a 5-4-1 formation, their attacking threat consists of fast breaks between the lines. With a gritty, old fashioned style of play, they have demonstrated that strength, power and tenacity is their biggest asset. Having said that, their first performance against the hosts was not an ‘all-timer’.
They were flat, unimaginative and poor in the final third, even leaving South African record scorer Benni McCarthy speechless. With two red cards and no goals scored in the opener, and one of their star players, Sphephelo Sithole, suspended for the rest of the group stage, their chances of progressing in the cup could be slim.
Despite the loss and disappointing performance, the Bafana Bafana can take some positives from the result. Their support was heartfelt and immense, despite the boos and jeers from the Mexico faithful. They danced from the first whistle to the last.
South Africa will face Czechia in the Atlanta Stadium on Thursday 18th June, which could be another tough test for the team. A 2-1 loss to South Korea left the Czechs third in the group, only ahead by a one goal difference.
What we can hope from the South Africans is for a showing of pride, passion and a determination to play their game. With a rich history of aggressive and skilful footballers, lets hope they can show the world their South African football heritage.
Podcast – World Cup 2026 preview
