Story by Anashe Murombedzi
THE wait is over as the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway tonight, with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in a curtain-raiser that revives memories of one of the tournament’s most iconic opening matches.
The clash at Mexico City Stadium, scheduled for 9pm, mirrors the opening fixture of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, where South Africa and Mexico played out a memorable 1-1 draw.
That match remains etched in football folklore for Siphiwe Tshabalala’s stunning strike that gave Bafana Bafana the lead and inspired commentator Peter Drury’s famous call: “Goal for all of Africa.”
Sixteen years later, the fixture returns with the roles reversed. Mexico enter as hosts seeking a winning start in front of their home supporters, while South Africa arrive determined to spoil the occasion and announce their return to football’s biggest stage.
Recent form appears to favour El Tri. Mexico are unbeaten in eight international friendlies this year, recording six victories as they build momentum ahead of the tournament.
South Africa, meanwhile, have struggled to find winning form in their preparations, drawing against Jamaica and Nicaragua before suffering defeat to Panama.
Mexico will enjoy the advantage of playing all three of their group-stage matches at the famous Azteca Stadium, which becomes the first venue in history to host three World Cup opening matches. The hosts will be aiming to capitalise on familiar surroundings and secure maximum points from the outset.
South Africa, however, arrive with little pressure and plenty of ambition. Having qualified for the World Cup on merit for the first time in more than two decades, Bafana Bafana are regarded as underdogs but remain capable of producing surprises.
Although they have never progressed beyond the group stage, memories of Tshabalala’s strike against Mexico in 2010 serve as a reminder of their ability to rise to the occasion on football’s grandest stage.
The expanded 48-team tournament will be staged across North America, featuring a record 104 matches.
Elsewhere, Group B action begins in Toronto on Friday night when co-hosts Canada face Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Friday’s programme starts earlier, with South Korea taking on the Czech Republic in the second Group A fixture at 4am.
As the first whistle approaches, the spotlight falls firmly on Mexico City, where an old World Cup rivalry will usher in a new chapter of football history.
