World Cup co-hosts Mexico face off against South Africa on Thursday night to kick off the 2026 tournament.
The Group A showdown at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is 16 years to the day since the two nations faced off in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Mexico, who qualified automatically for the tournament as co-hosts alongside the United States and Canada, failed to get out of the group four years ago but they’ll fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stages given their group of South Africa, South Korea, and Czech Republic.
Javier Aguirre will be hoping the home support will spur his Mexico side on as they look to reach the quarter-finals, which is their best-ever finish, for the first time since 1986.
South Africa, who topped their qualifying group ahead of Nigeria, are only making their fourth-ever World Cup appearance and their first since 2010 when they hosted the tournament.
They’ve never got out of the group stages and Hugo Broos’s side are the favourites to finish bottom of Group A this summer.
Radio Times has rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch Mexico v South Africa on TV and online.
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When is Mexico v South Africa?
Mexico v South Africa will take place on Thursday 11 June 2026.
Check out our live football on TV guide for the latest times and information.
Mexico v South Africa kick-off time
Mexico v South Africa will kick off at 8pm UK time.
The Group A match is set to be played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico.
What TV channel is Mexico v South Africa on?
You can watch the game live on ITV 1.
All 104 World Cup 2026 matches are on free-to-air TV for UK viewers, split between ITV and BBC.
Check out the full broadcast teams for World Cup 2026 with our BBC and ITV presenters, pundits and commentators guides.
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How to live stream Mexico v South Africa online
UK viewers can stream the game live online via ITVX.
The streaming platform is available on a range of devices, from desktop and laptop computers to smartphones and tablets via the app.
Is Mexico v South Africa on radio?
You can listen to the match on talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 Live.
talkSPORT is available on DAB radio, predominantly MW 1089 kHz though you may need to check its official website for some localised frequencies for talkSPORT, and like the BBC, you can tune in via most TV packages. You can also listen to talkSPORT online via the website or app.
BBC Radio 5 Live is available on DAB radio, MW 693 kHz, 909 kHz and 990 kHz, or you can tune into the station via most TV packages. You can also listen to Radio 5 Live online via the BBC website or BBC Sounds app.
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Mexico v South Africaodds
In working partnership with the Radio Times, bet365has provided the following betting odds for this event:
bet365 odds: Mexico (2/5) Draw (7/2) South Africa (7/1)*
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