Coach Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana side step into the game after four matches without a win.
Mexico, who are the favourites for the match, are unbeaten in eight outings.
South Africa starting line up: To be announced at 20:00 (SA time).
WHERE TO WATCH MEXICO VS BAFANA BAFANA
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener will be broadcast live on SABC 1, SABC 3 and SABC’s digital website and app.
DSTV’s SuperSport will also air the game on channel 202.
HOW CAN BAFANA BAFANA QUALIFY FOR THE ROUND OF 32?
The top two teams in each of the 12 groups will qualify automatically. The eight best third-placed teams across all the groups will also advance.
Also read: Who are South Africa’s most-capped players of all time?
Scenario 1: Automatic Qualification
- Beat Mexico
- Beat Czech Republic
South Africa qualify with a game to spare.
Scenario 2: Finish As Runners-Up
- Collect between four and six points
- Finish above either South Korea or Czech Republic
Scenario 3: Qualify As One Of The Best Third-Placed Teams
- Finish third in Group A
- Have a superior points tally, goal difference and goals scored record compared to other third-placed nations.
HOW HAVE SOUTH AFRICA PERFORMED AT PREVIOUS WORLD CUPS?
France 1998
- Lost 3-0 vs France
- Drew 1-1 vs Denmark
- Drew 2-2 vs Saudi Arabia
Finish: Third in group
Korea/Japan 2002
- Drew 2-2 vs Paraguay
- Beat Slovenia 1-0
- Lost 3-2 vs Spain
Finish: Third in group
South Africa 2010
- Drew 1-1 vs Mexico
- Lost 3-0 vs Uruguay
- Beat France 2-1
Finish: Third in group
Russia 2018
Did not qualify
Qatar 2022
Did not qualify
Other Group A Fixtures
- 18 June 2026
- Czech Republic vs South Africa
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
- 18:00 (SA time)
- 25 June 2026
- South Africa vs South Korea
- Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
- 03:00 (SA time)