Mexico are one of the three host nations of the 2026 World Cup, and they face South Africa in the tournament's opening match on Thursday. The pair have met once before, at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a fixture that proved tight and tense throughout, producing under 2.5 goals.
El Tri have one last friendly to play against Serbia before they face South Africa. So far this year, Mexico have remained unbeaten in their four friendlies against Portugal, Belgium, Ghana and Australia, picking up draws in the opening two matches and victories in the last two.
Each of those friendlies has produced under 2.5 goals, and we're predicting another tight and tense 90 minutes in the World Cup opener on Thursday night.
South Africa haven't been in the best form of late, winning just one of their last six international matches. Bafana Bafana failed to win any of their three friendlies heading into the World Cup, losing and drawing against Panama and playing out another stalemate with Nicaragua.
Each of South Africa's last three defeats have seen them concede two or more goals, and Hugo Broos' side have failed to score in four of their last 12 fixtures, all against weaker opposition than Mexico. Four of South Africa's last six matches have also produced under 2.5 goals.
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
