After another four-year wait, football’s most prestigious tournament finally gets underway today as Mexico and South Africa meet at the iconic Estadio Azteca in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
The fixture is a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener, when South Africa welcomed the world as hosts.
That encounter remains one of the tournament’s most memorable fixtures of the 21st century, highlighted by Siphiwe Tshabalala’s stunning opening goal, which sent the crowd at Soccer City into raptures before Mexico battled back to earn a 1-1 draw.
Sixteen years on, the two nations meet again to launch another World Cup, with Mexico hoping to turn history in their favour on home soil.
And the bookmakers expect them to do exactly that. Mexico are priced at just 4/11 with Sky Bet to make a winning start on home soil, while South Africa are 15/2 outsiders to spoil the party at the Estadio Azteca.
Sky Bet Preview: Sixteen years on, Mexico and South Africa meet again to open the World Cup
For those particularly confident in an El Tri victory, Sky Bet have enhanced Mexico to 1/1 as part of their Super Boost offer. Better still, if Mexico take the lead at any stage during the match, your bet will be settled as a winner.
That’s not the only boost available ahead of the tournament opener, with four additional specials catching the eye.
Raul Jimenez is 13/8 to register two or more shots on target, Erik Lira is 2/1 to commit three or more fouls, Teboho Mokoena is 3/1 to make at least three tackles, while Roberto Alvarado is a tempting 10/1 to create five or more chances.
The stats suggest there could be value in several of those selections. Jimenez arrives in form after recording three shots on target and scoring once in Mexico’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Serbia.
Meanwhile, Mokoena has made six tackles across South Africa’s last two matches, while Lira has committed three or more fouls in three of his previous five appearances for Mexico.
Whether you’re backing the hosts, one of the player specials, or simply looking forward to the return of football’s biggest stage, tonight’s opener promises to be an enthralling start to World Cup 2026.
Finally, for those after more detailed bets, there are a number of Match Stat Specials on offer, which can be found below.
Match Stat Specials
Each team to have 2 or more headed shots on target & each team to have 2 or more shots on target from outside the box
125/1
Santiago Gimenez, Jesus Gallardo & Themba Zwane to be fouled 10 or more times between them
100/1
45 or more throw-ins, 30 fouls & each GK to make 2 saves (Happened in the opening game of 2010 WC when sides last met)
33/1
Both GKs to make a save in each half & each team to be offside in each half
22/1
Yaya Sithole, Jesus Gallardo & Erik Lira to combine for 10 or more tackles
12/1
South Africa GK to make 2 or more saves in the 1st half & South Africa to commit 5 or more fouls in the 1st half
11/10
Any GK to be fouled
5/4
Yaya Sithole, Jesus Gallardo & Erik Lira to combine for 6 or more tackles
5/4
Each team to commit 5 or more fouls in each half
6/4
30 or more tackles, 30 or more throw-ins & 3 or more offsides
6/4
Raul Jimenez, Lyle Foster & Johan Vasquez to combine for 5 or more shots in the 1st half
13/8
South Africa to commit more fouls than Mexico & Jimenez to have more shots on target than Foster
13/8
Santiago Gimenez, Jesus Gallardo & Themba Zwane to be fouled 5 or more times between them
2/1
Each team to commit a foul between 00:00-09:59 & 10:00-19:59
2/1
Both GKs to make a save in each half
9/4
Referee to use the VAR pitch side monitor & 20 or more fouls
11/4
4 or more shots on target from outside the box
3/1
Raul Jimenez to have the most shots on target for Mexico
7/2
South Africa GK to make 4 or more saves in the 1st half
5/1
Mexico to have 2 or more headed shots on target & to have 2 or more shots on target from outside the box
11/2
Both GKs to make 10 or more saves between them
15/2
45 or more throw-ins & 25 or more fouls
17/2
Each team to have a headed shot on target & each team to have a shot on target from outside the box
9/1
6 or more shots on target from outside the box
20/1
Both GKs to make 2 or more saves each in each half
33/1
Raul Jimenez to have a shot on target from outside the box & to be fouled 4 or more times
33/1
40 or more throw-ins, 40 or more tackles & 4 or more offsides
40/1
Both GKs to make 3 or more saves each in each half
125/1
- All odds are correct at the time of publication
