Home / Sports / Mexico Favored in World Cup 2026 Opener vs. South Africa
Mexico Favored in World Cup 2026 Opener vs. South Africa
11 Jun
Summary
- Mexico is heavily favored to win the World Cup 2026 opening match.
- The game is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, at Estadio Azteca.
- A prediction leans towards fewer than 2.5 total goals scored.

The 2026 World Cup commences on Thursday, June 11, with a Group A fixture between Mexico and South Africa. Held at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. ET. Mexico is widely regarded as the favorite to win the group and advance.
Experts predict a low-scoring game, with a prevailing forecast of under 2.5 total goals. This projection considers Mexico's recent defensive focus and a tendency for their matches to feature fewer goals, with six of their last seven games concluding with under 2.5 goals.
South Africa, facing a challenging opener, is considered a significant underdog. Despite their long odds, an upset victory could dramatically alter the group's dynamics. The match presents an opportunity for South Africa to make a statement against a favored opponent on their home turf.