11/06/2026
SOUTH AFRICA IS BACK ON THE WORLD CUP STAGE — AND IT STARTS TONIGHT!
Bafana Bafana return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years, and their opening match couldn't be more poetic: a rematch of the iconic 2010 opener, this time away at the legendary Estadio Azteca against co-hosts Mexico.
🔥 THE VENUE
The Estadio Azteca becomes the first stadium ever to host THREE World Cup opening matches (1970, 1986 & 2026). Over 80,000 fans will pack the stands — expect a wall of noise.
🎤 OPENING CEREMONY
90 minutes before kickoff, catch a star-studded ceremony headlined by four-time Grammy winner Shakira, Colombia's J Balvin, and our very own South African sensation Tyla. 🙌
🇲🇽 MEXICO (Co-hosts)
El Tri enter in red-hot form and have goalkeeper legend Guillermo Ochoa making history — appearing at a record-breaking sixth World Cup. Captain Edson Álvarez anchors their midfield. Expect a raucous home crowd behind them.
🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA (The underdogs with a point to prove)
Bafana Bafana held Mexico to a 1-1 draw on home soil in 2010 — can they do it again on Mexican turf? Captain Ronwen Williams is one of Africa's best keepers. Watch out for the clinical Lyle Foster and the electric Oswin Appollis.
⏰ KICK-OFF TIMES
🇿🇦 South Africa: 9:00 PM (SAST)
🌍 GMT: 7:00 PM
🇲🇽 Mexico City: 1:00 PM (local)
📺 WHERE TO WATCH
🇿🇦 South Africa: SuperSport, SportyTV, New World TV
🇲🇽 Mexico: TUDN, Canal 5, Las Estrellas, Vix
🇺🇸 USA: Fox, Telemundo, Peacock
💬 Drop your score prediction below! Can Bafana pull off the upset, or will Mexico use the home advantage to claim three points? 👇