Mexico’s national football team began its campaign for the 2026 World Cup with a match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana. The game served as the inaugural match of the qualifying tournament. The contest took place at the Estadio Ciudad de México, marking the first official game in the road to the expanded 48-team World Cup. This match is a key starting point for Mexico as they aim to secure a place in the tournament, which they will co-host with the United States and Canada. The result of this opening game will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. Expectations are high for the Mexican team playing on home soil. The match signifies the beginning of a competitive qualifying process across the CONCACAF region.