Mexico vs South Africa - World Cup 2026 Betting Tips (11/06/2026)

Co-host nation Mexico kick-off the 2026 World Cup when they play South Africa on Thursday night. Mexico are the firm favourites with bet365 at 1.40 to get their home World Cup off to a winning start. South Africa are priced at 8.00 with the same firm to spoil the party at the Azteca Stadium. The draw is available at 4.33.

We expect Mexico, cheered on by big home support, to have too much for South Africa in this contest and betting on the home team's star striker to be heavily involved looks a good bet. Jimenez can provide goals and assists when leading the line and should get a few chances to get off the mark in this fixture.

Reasons to Follow this Bet

• Raul played and scored in Mexico's final warm-up game before the start of the World Cup

• He is now Mexico's second-highest all-time goalscorer and has a brilliant penalty record.

• We expect Mexico to dominate this contest and that will mean the centre forward should be heavily involved.

• South Africa won their previous friendly but that was their first win in five matches.

Mexico vs South Africa - Team News

Mexico head into this home World Cup on the back of six wins and two draws from eight friendly matches in preparation for the tournament. They have no major injury issues but do have a squad without Luis Ángel Malagón and midfielder Marcel Ruiz, who both failed to make the cut due to injury. Mexico will hope for big impact from attackers Alvaro Fidalgo and Julian Quinones. Young talent Gilberto Mora could feature from the bench.

South Africa will need to assess the fitness of left-back Aubrey Modiba ahead of the opening fixture. Wingers Thapelo Morena and Mohau Nkota both missed the squad due to injury. Lyle Foster leads the line for Bafana Bafana, who will also be hoping for some big performances from MLS-based stars Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Relebohile Mofokeng

Mexico vs South Africa Line-ups

Mexico: Raúl Rangel - Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo - Álvaro Fidalgo, Érik Lira, Brian Gutiérrez - Roberto Alvarado, Raul Jiménez, Julián Quiñones.

South Africa: Ronwen Williams - Aubrey Modiba, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Khuliso Mudau - Jayden Adams, Teboho Mokoena - Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng - Tshepang Moremi - Lyle Foster.