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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
James Roberts

Azteca, Atmosphere and Altitude: Things to look out for in 2026 World Cup's opening game between Mexico and South Africa

Raúl Jiménez of Mexico celebrates the team's second goal during the international friendly match between Mexico and Serbia at Nemesio Diez Stadium on June 04, 2026 in Toluca, Mexico.

After four years of waiting, the World Cup gets underway with a clash between Mexico and South Africa. Sound familiar?

It was only 16 years ago that these sides kicked-off the 2010 edition of the tournament in Johannesburg, when Bafana Bafana's Siphiwe Tshabalala got the party started with a 'Goal for all Africa', as Peter Drury memorably put it, before Mexican captain Rafael Marquez dampened the celebratory atmosphere with a late equaliser.

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