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World Cup Best Bets - June 14
10 Jun 2026
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Mexico vs South Africa Preview & Tips – Mexico backed to raise the curtain on the 2026 World Cup with a win
- Mexico have won their last three matches
- South Africa are winless in their last five games (L2, D3)
- Preview, stats & head to head
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Johan Vasquez of Mexico (Getty Images)
Mexico vs South Africa Preview & Tips
Mexico come into the opening match of the World Cup as the favourites to take all three points from the first game of the tournament in 2026.
South Africa are the underdogs heading into the opening match of the World Cup after a number of disappointing results.
- Mexico are unbeaten in their last eight games (W6, D2)
- South Africa have seen less than 3.5 goals in their last five matches
Head To Head
The pair have met three times before, with Mexico winning once, South Africa winning once and one game ending as a draw.
Mexico Form
Mexico’s route to the World Cup across 2026 has seen them impress, with the nation not tasting defeat since a 2-1 loss to Paraguay back in November 2025.
Since then, they have secured wins over Panama, Bolivia, Iceland, Ghana, Australia and Serbia. Their last three wins have come since May 25, with a 5-1 trouncing of Serbia particularly impressive.
However, perhaps their best results came as they held European heavyweights Portugal (0-0) and Belgium (1-1). Both sides are among the best in the world, meaning avoiding defeat in these matches shows Mexico will be tough nut to crack at the tournament this summer.
I expect their matches against Portugal and Belgium to be the foil for their performances across the tournament. Mexico will know that being tough to breach will often prove the difference, and I predict a low-scoring game in which the co-hosts secure the win.
South Africa Form
South Africa come into the opening match of the 2026 World Cup hoping to spoil the party when they take on one of the co-hosts of the competition.
While they are unbeaten across their last two, they are now winless in their last five. Draws with Nicaragua and Jamaica followed on from defeats to Cameroon and Panama that sandwiched a draw with the latter. Without a win since they beat Zimbabwe 3-2 at the end of 2025, South Africa arrive for the tournament in no kind of form.
With every point vital across the tournament, I predict that South Africa will look to ensure they are still in the contest as the game edges towards its conclusion. With less than 3.5 goals scored across their last five, South Africa will want to be tough to beat.
Verdict
While I back Mexico to secure all three points against South Africa in their opening game, I believe it will be a very close match as the two nations battle to avoid defeat.
Home Win & Under 3.5
Match Winner & Total Goals
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