Mexico v South Africa: Back a winning start for hosts & 9/2 Bet Builder option at the Azteca

All eyes on Azteca World Cup opener

Click here for Mexico v South Africa odds
Thursday 11 June 20:00 kick-off
Group A
Live on ITV1 & ITVX

Right, here we go then, the 2026 World Cup finally gets under way in what's actually a rematch of the opening fixture of the 2010 World Cup when then hosts South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico.

This time it'll be a packed out Estadio Azteca at fever pitch anticipating a home win for the Group A favourites, who are well fancied at 2/51.40 in the match odds on the Betfair Sportsbook.

South Africa are big outsiders at 8/19.00 after just one win in seven entering the tournament, with winless friendlies against Panama, Nicaragua and Jamaica not boding well for this test against World Cup veterans Mexico - who incidentally hold the record for the most matches played in the finals without lifting the trophy (60).

El Tri are unbeaten (W5 D2) in World Cup games at the Azteca, and their recent form looks more than good enough to keep that run going - winning six of eight with two draws against European powerhouses Portugal and Belgium.

Five of South Africa's last six have seen both teams score, but it's 31/202.55 for both sides to find the net here as with Mexico keeping six clean sheets in their recent eight-game stretch (scoring 15) a Mexico win to nil at 10/111.91 looks to be more of a decent shout.

One further trend to look out for is a fast start by Mexico, as they've led at half-time in five of their last six games, and you can back Mexico/Mexico in the half time/full time at 11/102.11.

9/25.50 Bet Builder appeals & 12/53.40 Mexico defender option

In terms of the players to follow, let's start with South Africa, with the best bet being the 13/27.50 on Oswin Appollis as an anytime goalscorer - with the Bafana Bafana man scoring six goals in his last 10 starts for his country.

Raul Jimenez is the 13/102.30 anytime goalscorer favourite as he leads the line for Mexico. He's scored five goals in his last nine internationals and he's also on the penalties so is a worthy favourite.

Mexico will also carry a big goal threat from set pieces, with defender Johan Vasquez scoring from a header in their last two games, while felow defender Jorge Sanchez poked home against Belgium - throw in a Serbia own goal from yet another corner and it's clear that'll be a big area of focus for the hosts.

Check the team sheets, as skipper Edson Alvarez and Cesar Montes are also centre back options, but if Vasquez starts he's worth a small play as a 9/110.00 anytime goalscorer, as after netting in those last two internationals he's actually scored in three games in a row for club and country.

For a safer play, Vasquez can be backed at a still generous 12/53.40 for 1+ shot on target. He's hit the target five times in 12 internationals and in a match Mexico should dominate there should be a few set pieces to go at.

Alvarez scored in the Gold Cup final win while Montes scored in three straight games for his Russian club side Lokomotiv Moscow in March and April so all three carry a threat. Vasquez is very much the man in form in that regard though.

And along with Mexico to have more corners as expected, a final Bet Builder option is South Africa to have 3+ cards at 6/52.20 - something they've managed in three of their last four games.

Now read our day one tipsheet with bets for both games