Mexico vs South Africa Tips, Prediction & Odds: World Cup 2026

* Odds supplied by Betway, accurate when this was written.

The 2026 World Cup gets under way with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday 11 June, starting at 21:00 CAT. El Tri go in as big favourites with the home fans behind them, while Hugo Broos leads a South African team back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. For all our World Cup betting tips, take a look at our dedicated section.

Mexico

I think Mexico are in a strong position to open the tournament with a win at the Azteca, where the altitude and the noise give them a real advantage. Javier Aguirre has backed a balanced 4-3-3, with Raul Jimenez up front and Santi Gimenez offering something different from the bench, and Alexis Vega and Roberto Alvarado supplying the creativity. There are no big injury worries in the squad, and Ochoa matching the record for World Cup appearances gives the group an extra lift. I expect Mexico to keep the ball and patiently pick South Africa apart.

Expected Lineup: Rangel; Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Fidalgo, Lira, Alvarez; Alvarado, Jimenez, Vega.

South Africa

Hugo Broos has turned South Africa into a well organised, disciplined team, and as I see it they will sit deep in a tight 4-2-3-1, aiming to frustrate Mexico and counter through Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster. Captain Ronwen Williams is among the most dependable keepers in Africa and will be key to any hope of a result, with Teboho Mokoena holding the midfield together. Most of the squad is fit and most of the players ply their trade in the local league, and I think they will be hard to break down for at least the opening half hour. The real test will be holding that shape against Mexico for 90 minutes.

Expected Lineup: Williams; Mudau, Makhanya, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mbatha, Mokoena; Appollis, Mofokeng, Moremi; Foster.

Mexico have the quality, the backing of the Azteca crowd and the experience to win this opener comfortably. I see Bafana Bafana starting brightly before gradually handing over the ball and the chances to a settled Mexico team. My forecast: Mexico 2 South Africa 0.

BTTS: No (1.59)

My pick is Both Teams to Score: No, and my reasoning rests on two clear points. South Africa rely mainly on Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis for goals, and neither has a history of scoring against elite defences away from home, while Broos will put structure ahead of chasing the match. Mexico, for their part, have a settled centre back partnership in Montes and Vasquez behind a disciplined midfield shield. At 1.59 with Betway, BTTS: No is the clearest value on offer and sits nicely alongside my call of a controlled Mexico win without conceding.