Mexico vs. South Africa live score, result, highlights as Quinones scores to open 2026 World Cup

By | June 11, 2026
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The long-awaited arrival is here, and the 2026 World Cup journey will finally kick off with Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca on Thursday.

Exactly 16 years ago to the day, El Tri and Bafana Bafana got the action started when South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup. Now, the two teams will once again get the ball rolling, this time on the other side of the world. This year’s tournament will be Mexico’s 18th appearance at the World Cup, while South Africa will be making the country’s fourth, and first since hosting the 2010 edition.

Despite it being the opener, Thursday’s game between the two can hold massive weight in determining how Group A shapes up. In a perfect world, Mexico would love to get some wind behind its sails in front of the Mexico City home crowd. However, South Africa’s tournament would get off to a near-unfathomable start if they were to steal three points away from El Tri. There won’t be a magical Siphiwe Tshabalala back-of-the-net effort this year, but that only means a new hero can be born from this South African squad in 2026.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Mexico vs. South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Follow for complete results from the Group A match in Mexico City.

LIVE: Follow World Cup opening ceremony updates from Mexico City

Mexico vs. South Africa score

Location: Mexico City
Referee: Wilton Sampaio

Starting lineups:

Mexico (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Rangel (GK) — 15. Reyes, 3. Montes, 5. J. Vasquez, 23. Gallardo (D) — 26. Gutierrez, 6. Lira, 8. Fidalgo (M) — 25. Alvarado, 9. Jimenez, 16. Quinones (F)

South Africa (5-3-2, right to left): 1. R. Williams (GK) — 20. Mudau, 19. Sibisi, 21. Okon, 14. Mbokazi, 6. Modiba (D) — 13. Sithole, 4. Mokoena, 23. J. Adams (M) — 9. Foster, 15. Rayners (F)

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Updated World Cup standings

Mexico vs. South Africa live updates, highlights from 2026 World Cup

(All times ET)

4:16 p.m. – We have our first red card of the tournament! After Guiterrez was running towards South Africa’s goal with no one in front of him, Bafana midfielder Yaya Sithole heavily tackled the Mexican just outside of the box.

A couple of feet away from a kick at the penalty spot for El Tri, and they couldn’t cash in from the 17-yard setpiece.

4:12 p.m. – The action is back in Mexico City, with South Africa starting with possession this half.

30 seconds after the whistle, Williams turns the ball over and gets bailed out after a lackluster pass that resulted in a turnover in his own box.

Very well could have been a done deal already.

Halftime: Mexico 1-0 South Africa

3:54 p.m. – Gutierrez got within 16 yards of the net on the left side of the box, but squandered his opportunity by getting minimal contact behind the shot.

This would be the last attempt of the first half, with Mexico heading into the halftime break up 1-0.

Mexico   South Africa
57% Possession 43%
10 Shots 2
2 Shots on target 1
90% (238) Pass completion 84% (161)
2 Corners 1
1 Yellow cards 1

3:47 p.m. – After a dangerous cross into the box, Raul Jimenez misses by inches on getting solid contact on a shot, along with a great save by Williams.

The next possession, Quinones hits the right woodwork on a shot. Inches from a 2-0 game.

3:46 p.m. – The sun has now come out in Mexico City, which could affect pitch conditions after a rainy, overcast morning.

Something to monitor as the game progresses past the 40-minute mark.

3:42 p.m. – Now through 36 minutes, and South Africa is still seeking to attempt their first shot. Mexico has been doing a thorough job of keeping the ball on the far side of the pitch or minimizing any dangerous chances. 

3:33 p.m. – After three minutes, the players have resumed play post-hydration break.

3:29 p.m. – Brian Gutierrez joins the referee’s notepad with a yellow card after a bad tackle. Six minutes earlier, South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena also was given a yellow.

3:27 p.m. – The first half has raced by, and we’re already through the first 20 minutes. Here is how Mexico and South Africa have stacked up thus far. It’s safe to say El Tri is incredibly comfortable to start this game.

Mexico   Stat   South Africa
58%   Possession   42%
6   Shots   0
2   Shots on target   0
93%   Pass completion   75%
2   Corners   0
0   Yellow cards   1

9′ Quinones opens scoring

3:16 p.m. – GOAL FOR MEXICO! Julian Quinones was quick to jump on a faulty pass from South Africa’s goalkeeper, and he made Bafana Bafana pay in under 10 minutes. He puts it right through Williams’ legs.

3:10 p.m. – The first big chance of the game comes in just four minutes for Mexico. Raul Jimenez forced Williams to dive sharply to his right and push the ball out for a corner kick.

3:06 p.m. – The 2026 World Cup has officially kicked off! Mexico has kicked the ball off the center spot and begin the first match of the tournament with possession.

First half begins

Pregame

2:57 p.m. – National anthems have begun, with Tyla performing South Africa’s anthem, followed by Alejandro Fernandez singing Mexico’s.

2:55 p.m. – The atmosphere in Mexico City is absolutely electric as the teams have begun their walkouts onto the pitch. By the looks of it, the El Tri faithful have packed the stadium to the brim, and it certainly sounds like it too.

2:51 p.m. – Andrea Bocelli and EJAE have just concluded their act of signing “DNA,” which stressed the importance of soccer as more than just a game.

2:43 p.m. – World Cup ambassador Salma Hayek is addressing the Estadio Azteca crowd. She has rallied the crowd and received raucous applause to get ready for their bout against South Africa.

Along with that, each country that is participating in the tournament is getting walked out to center field on the pitch.

2:39 p.m. – Team Mexico has taken the field to warm up. We are less than 20 minutes from kickoff at the 2026 World Cup.

2:16 p.m. – Check out South Africa’s entrance at Mexico City. The team looks relaxed and ready for their match against El Tri.

2:03 p.m. – Lineups for the opening bout of Mexico vs. South Africa have been confirmed. Here is how each team will look on the pitch when the first whistle blows:

1:56 p.m. – The opening ceremony has officially begun in Mexico City! We are almost one hour away until kickoff!

1:46 p.m. – Shakira is officially in the building! She will headline the opening ceremony in Mexico, along with the halftime show at the World Cup final.

1:39 p.m. – Fan fests have grown in popularity across World Cup-participating countries. At Guadalajara, the vibes are sky high and jubilant ahead of Mexico’s opener:

1:25 p.m. – Fans have begun taking their seats in Mexico City. Here is the view from the upper section of the stadium:

12:54 p.m. – With just about three hours until kick off, here is how Estadio Azteca will appear during the World Cup opener. Expect to see a lot of green, white, and red around the pitch.

12:21 p.m. – One of the best parts about the World Cup is the influx of cultures on a global stage and game traditions each fanbase partakes in. With that, here are some of the most unique traditions that can be spotted at this summer’s tournament:

12:10 p.m. – Fans of El Tri have already begun the process of filling Estadio Azteca from top to bottom. Virtually all 83,000 of the Mexican stadium’s seats should be filled for the country’s first time hosting a World Cup since 1986.

11:56 a.m. – Estadio Azteca is a stadium that holds memory after memory for World Cup fans, especially after Mexico hosted the event in 1970 and 1986. From Pele to the Hand of God, this stadium has seen iconic moments, and will try to make some more this year. 

11:51 a.m. – The game may be in Mexico, but the South African faithful like their chances. A group of fans shared their score predictions for the opener. 

11:25 a.m. – This match is a throwback to the 2010 World Cup opener. Back then, South Africa hosted Mexico. But this year, the script has flipped. These two tied 1-1 in 2010, with this Tshabalala goal opening the scoring. 

11:18 a.m. – Even in the early morning, fans are packing the streets outside the Azteca. There are still several hours until game time, but the city is alive with excitement. 

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

Where to watch Mexico vs. South Africa in World Cup

Mexico vs. South Africa start time

  • Date: Thursday, June 11
  • Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET, noon PT

Following the Opening Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. ET, Mexico and South Africa will kick off the first game of this year’s World Cup at 3 p.m. ET from Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

What channel is Mexico vs. South Africa on today?

This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.

The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up for a FREE trial.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

  Time TV Channel Streaming
USA 15:00 ET Fox, Telemundo fubo, Peacock
Canada 15:00 ET TSN 1, RDS (French) TSN site/app,
RDS app
UK 20:00 GMT BBC One BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Australia 07:00 AEDT SBS SBS On Demand
India 01:30 IST Sports 18 Voot, JioTV

Mexico World Cup schedule 2026

Date Time (ET) Match Location
Thu, Jun. 11 3 p.m. Mexico vs. South Africa Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Thu, Jun. 18 9 p.m. Mexico vs. South Korea Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, MEX)
Wed, Jun. 24 9 p.m. Czechia vs. Mexico Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)

South Africa World Cup schedule 2026

Date Time (ET) Match Location
Thu, Jun. 11 3 p.m. Mexico vs. South Africa Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Thu, Jun. 18 12 p.m. Czechia vs. South Africa Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Wed, Jun. 24 9 p.m. South Africa vs. South Korea Estadio Monterrey (Monterrey, MEX)

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